THOMAS (TAMMAS) YOUNG

Glasgow Hangman, Died 1887

The last Glasgow Hangman died at his house within the perimeters of Bridewell Prison on the 2nd November, 1887. Thomas Young, or Tammas as he preferred to be called, rarely left the confines of the prison walls except on official business. For some inexplicable reason he was concerned that the nature of his occupation might count against him with some sections of the greater population at large.

The occupation of hangman was not confined to merely looping knotted hemp around some poor unfortunate's neck, dropping them through a trapdoor and consigning them to eternity. Oh no, it was much more varied, interesting and socially exclusive.

The hangman also performed public whippings. Tammas has the additional distinction of having delivered the last judicial whipping seen in Glasgow, in 1822.

The flogging, with a cat-o-nine-tails, was administered to Richard Campbell, a weaver (and ex-policemen), and was of a particularly brutal nature. It was carried out in four different Glasgow locations, on the same day, with twenty lashes delivered at each site. Presumably this was to ensure that as many common folk as possible understood the consequences of stepping out of line.

The following are the names and crimes of the persons who had the privilege of being introduced to the hereafter by Tammas:

Interestingly, no-one was ever hanged by Thomas Young in the months of February or March.

Too cold for a good hanging?