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Period: to
Modern Europe (1648-1992)
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"Captain Whitney's Confession", London (1693)
In 1693, an infamous highwayman named James Whitney fell prey to public execution. The crime committed was that of robbery. The purpose of this ballad is to reveal the Captain's death to the public, as a form of amusement and as an advisement to avoid criminality. The ballad reads "And here in shame and sad disgrace, surrender up my breath," which illustrates the alleged remorse of this citizen for the crimes he committed. This acts as a way to deter the public from shameful criminality. -
Cesare Beccaria, “An Essay on Crimes and Punishments”, Italy (1764)
Cesare Beccaria’s essay seeks to criticize the practices of punishment from the Middle Ages until the 18th century. By basing his claims off of classical theory, Beccaria depicts humans as rational beings who seek less physical pain inflicted upon them as punishments. This author believes that it is important that convictions remain fair and consistent, rather than unsystematic and irrational. This essay is significant as affects crime and punishment well into the 21st century. -
Henry Walton's "A Girl Buying a Ballad", London 1778
This image portrays a British girl who buys an execution ballad off of the vendor who sits in the street. In fact, this piece is meant to symbolize the fact that execution was entertaining, and it a was a matter such like buying the newspaper. The contrast between both individuals is an important criticism of public execution. The vendor is old and worn-out by bearing the burden of all these deaths he has witnessed, while the girl represents innocence and bliss. -
Public and Police newsletter, 1889 (London)
In the aftermath of the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829, units of public police appeared in the streets of London. This newsletter from 1889 depicts a modern take on crime and punishment in society, as it is to present daily events to the public. Additionally, this letter seeks to highlight the efficiency of the police units in order to further popularize the idea of public policing in a post-industrial context (since policing had been privatized before).