The Resume

(circa 1705-April 7, 1739)
Born in Hempstead, England, United Kingdom
Legendary English highwayman
Started out as a butcher
Soon turned to cattle rustling, poaching and smuggling
Joined the Essex gang of house breakers, notorious for targeting isolated farms
Turned highwayman when the gang broke up
Captured, arrested and executed in York

Why he might be annoying:

His best known exploit, riding from London to York in under a day, never happened.
Also contrary to popular legend, he never had a beloved horse called Black Bess.
He was apprenticed to a butcher who found him ‘loose and disorderly.’
When part of the Essex gang, he terrorized female or elderly homeowners into handing over their valuables.
Although famed as a lone highwayman, he usually worked with a partner.
He was a coldblooded thug romanticized by the public.
The press had a field day covering his crimes.

Why he might not be annoying:

He could survive in the forest and countryside for months when evading the law.
He wrote a letter to his brother-in-law who refused to pay the postage due. When the letter was returned to the post office, his handwriting was recognized.
Although a murderer, he was sentenced to death for stealing two horses.
His notoriety attracted many visitors to his cell.
He hired five mourners while waiting to be executed.
He faced death with courage and made small talk with the hangman.
He became the subject of many ballads, stories, novels, comic books, TV shows and movies (including ‘Carry on Dick’ starring Sid James).

Credit: Georgina

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Dead Celebrity Cults
• Executed by the State
• Georgina/Devil Doll's Profiles [Series 5]
• I Died for My Sins
• I Died in My 30s (Ranked: 34)
• I Was Hanged
• I'm Remembered in a Tribute Song
• Look at Me, I Tip My Hat To You
• Look at Me, I'm Armed
• Look at Me, I'm Mounted
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Profiles 32001-32250 (Ranked: 32155)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 21 Votes: 61.90% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 49 Votes: 81.63% Annoying