Jonathan Wild, criminal

Jonathan Wild (1682/83-1725) was a London underworld figure. He became a manipulator of legal systems, collecting the rewards offered for valuables which he had stolen himself, bribing prison guards to release his colleagues, and blackmailing any who crossed him. He was responsible for the arrest and execution of Jack Sheppard, a petty thief and burglar who had won the public's affection as a lovable rogue. However, Wild's duplicity became known, and his men began to give evidence against him. After a suicide attempt, he was hanged at Tyburn

1682 Blackmailing Bribing Burglar Colleagues Collecting Duplicity Evidence Hanged However Lovable Manipulator Offered Petty Publics Responsible Rewards Rogue Sheppard Stolen Suicide Tyburn Underworld Valuables Wilds

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