"The Prince of Pickpockets" is a compelling biographical study of George Barrington, perhaps the most notorious and sophisticated thief of the late eighteenth century. Author Richard S. Lambert delves into the life of a man who moved effortlessly between the underworld and the upper echelons of Georgian society, utilizing his natural charm and wit to maintain a facade of respectability while orchestrating daring thefts at the theater, the opera, and royal functions.
The narrative meticulously reconstructs the atmosphere of 1700s London, tracing Barrington's career from his Irish origins to his status as a legendary figure in the annals of English crime. Lambert explores the fascination the public held for this "gentleman thief," whose trials at the Old Bailey became sensational events. The book also follows the second act of Barrington's life: his eventual capture and transportation to the penal colony of Australia. In the burgeoning settlement of New South Wales, the former pickpocket underwent a remarkable transformation, rising to a position of civic authority as a high constable.
"The Prince of Pickpockets" provides a vivid window into the complexities of social class, the harshness of the eighteenth-century justice system, and the remarkable adaptability of a man who left an indelible mark on both British and Australian history.
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