Execution of Jack Sheppard
- When
- 1723–1724
- Where
- London
- Episodes
- 1
John Sheppard, an English criminal notorious for prison escapes in 1724, was executed in London on 16 November 1724. His life involved burglary and partnership with Joseph Blake, culminating in his hanging after multiple arrests and escapes.
Episodes
Background and detail
Background. John Sheppard, born in 1702, was an English criminal who became notorious in early 18th-century London. Apprenticed as a carpenter, he began committing theft and burglary in 1723. He was known by nicknames such as "Honest Jack" and "Jack the Lad".
Crimes and Escapes. In 1724, Sheppard was arrested and imprisoned five times but escaped four times, making him popular with poorer classes. He committed burglaries with his brother and mistress, and later with Joseph "Blueskin" Blake, including a break-in at a pawnbroker's shop in Drury Lane.
People involved
- John Sheppard · Criminal and subject of execution
- Joseph "Blueskin" Blake · Criminal partner
- Jonathan Wild · Thief-taker and enemy
Sources
- Jack Sheppard Wikipedia, revision of 2026-03-23
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.