William Frederick Horry

William Frederick Horry, also known as Fred Horry (December, 1843 in Boston, England - 1 April 1872 in Lincoln, England) was the first person to be hanged by Victorian hangman William Marwood, and the first to fall using the long drop method. He was hanged at Lincoln Castle, Lincoln, England on 1 April 1872, aged 28,

Biography and crime

Horry was born in December 1843, in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. He married Jane in 1866 and they took over the George Hotel together in Burslem, Staffordshire, England. By September 1871, the two were estranged due to Horry's alcoholism and accusations of Jane's infidelity with customers. Jane went to live with Horry's father in Boston with their children whilst William stayed at the hotel.

William made attempts to visit his family but due to his abusive behaviour, he was barred from further visits. Unable to maintain the business on his own, he sold the hotel and moved to Nottingham. In 1872, William pleaded with his wife a final time to return with him with their children. After being unsuccessful, he travelled to Nottingham, purchased a shotgun before returning again to Boston to murder his wife.

Trial and execution

At his trial on 31 March 1872, he pleaded insanity but the prosecution successfully argued that...
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