Category: crime and punishment
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Haunting Mugshots: Criminal Faces of the 1900s
The early 20th century was a pivotal moment in the history of criminal justice, marked by the widespread adoption of “scientific” methods of identification and documentation. At the heart of this revolution was the mugshot. Far from being mere photographs, these stark, standardized portraits were the culmination of a movement to professionalize policing and create…
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Henry Wirz, a Swiss Immigrant and the Commanding Officer of Andersonville Prisoner of War Camp in Georgia, is Hanged for the Murder of Union Soldiers Interned There During the American Civil War. November 10, 1865.
Image: The execution of Henry Wirz, commandant of the (Confederate) Andersonville Prison, near the US Capitol moments after the trap door was sprung. Washington, D.C. (Public Domain) On this day in history, November 10, 1865, Henry Wirz, a Swiss immigrant and the commanding officer of Andersonville prisoner of war camp in Georgia, is hanged for…
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Mary Jane Kelly, the Fifth and Final Victim of Victorian Serial Killer Jack the Ripper, Was Found Murdered on November 9, 1888.
Image: Police photograph of the murder scene of Mary Jane Kelly. (Public Domain) On this day in history, Mary Jane Kelly, the fifth and final victim of Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper, was found murdered on November 9, 1888. Mary Jane Kelly’s mutilated body was found on her bed in the room she rented…
History Daily With Francis Chappell Black 