Professor- slang term for a common thief?

[lanarman]

I have come across this term to describe a possible ancestor of mine in London, England circa 1820. I doubt that he was a Professor of music or anything else for that matter.  Has anyone else had experience with a person who had a criminal record (larceny and manslaughter) that may have been known as a "Professor" ?

[hanes teulu]

It would help to know the context in which the term was used. For example Leicester Journal,8 Oct 1841 -s

[hanes teulu]

Sun (London), 24 Feb 1843

[lanarman]

I quote from a family history book entitled The Playfair Book or Notes on the Scottish Family of Playfair authored by Arthur Grace Playfair, published in 1932 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England by C. Baldwin:

Elizabeth (Betsy) Bingley, elder surviving daughter of William Playfair and his wife Mary Morris, married, at a date unknown, a man described as Professor Bingley whose identity is uncertain. In the parish records of St. James Westminster the baptism of their daughter Amelia in 1818 records the father as William Bingley.

I only have a reference to this book- there are no copies here in Canada as far as I know. This Elizabeth Playfair had a second child born in 1822 named Charles and they emigrated to Canada in 1843 with her brother John Playfair and his family. She was a widow at that time and blind from birth.

I have narrowed down the William Bingleys who were buried in London from c . 1823 to 1843 and came up with 8 or 9. One of these could possibly be a "Professor":

buried March 1823 Rev. Wm. Bingley of St. George Bloomsbury, age 49, married in 1812 and had a young son born in 1813. Author of many books. Professor?

buried 1826 Drury Lane age 48. Possible brother to a John Bingley who had "Wine Vaults" there in an 1811 directory. Cannot find a marriage for him.  Professor?

buried 1827 Tavistock Street Covent Garden. Linen draper, married no children. Age 73.

buried 1831 St. Saviour Southwark, Abode- Bethnal Green. age 40. No marriage record found.

buried 1838 Ossulston St., St. Pancras, age 58, married no children. Carpenter by trade.

buried 1842 Queen Street, Brompton, Kensington, age 82, widower in 1818, solicitor/attorney.

buried 1843  Queen St., Brompton, Kensington, age 47, son of entry above, solicitor. Married in 1827 and had  children.

William Bingley Chip Hat Maker/Weaver death year/place unknown. 1818 accused of theft- not guilty. 1819- larceny confined 6 months and whipped. 1820- stealing a leather pocket book- one month in Newgate. 1823- convicted of manslaughter of George Durham at George Tavern, Whitechapel. One month in Newgate.  (Source- Old Bailey online).

So who was the Professor? Toss the dice.

[mckha489]

Related thread

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=899620.msg7749446#msg7749446

[lanarman]

Perhaps I should be moving this topic over to the London/Middlesex board?  Moderator?

[lanarman]

To elaborate on one of the William Bingleys I listed previously- the one who died in 1842 at Queen St., Brompton, Kensington at age 82 was a Conveyancer in Chancery with offices at New Inn, Wych St., St. Clement Danes, London. His infamous apprentice was William Henry Ireland who forged "unseen" Shakespearean documents, etc. from old parchments in Bingley's office. 

Perhaps this William Bingley could have been, "unofficially", recognized as a "Professor" ?

Comments appreciated.

[Andy J2022]

From Green's Dictionary of Slang:
"professor, n. 1. anyone considered particularly clever or even educated; also in ironic use. 2.  a pianist in a bar, cabaret or brothel; by ext. any musician . 3.  a sophisticated criminal, preferring confidence trickery to violence. 4. a bartender."

[hanes teulu]

I note from FindaGrave, Amelia Playfair born 1 Oct 1818, maiden name Bingley, husband Andrew William Playfair, died 1881.

There are 3 1818 baptisms on FindMyPast for an "Amelia Playfair" - transcripts only. 2 of the transcripts refer to Amelia' last name as "Playfair" and the parent's first names as "William and Elisabeth", there is no transcript of Last Name. Looking at these transcripts in isolation you might conclude that William's last name was Playfair.

A 3rd transcript gives Father's 1st Name as "William" and Last Name "Bingley". The mother's 1st name is "Elisabeth" and Last Name "Playfair". Amelia is baptised under mother's Surname.

I cannot find the originals to cross check..