AI-generated image and article · Created using AI from source material and publicly available information.
Mugshots from Scotland’s Criminal Past Unveiled at Glasgow Archives
Recently unearthed mugshots from the early 1900s have shed light on the lives of notorious criminals who operated in Scotland, particularly in Glasgow. The photos, part of the Criminal Photographs Register from 1903 to 1914, are housed at the Glasgow City Archives located in the Mitchell Library and provide a glimpse into the city’s criminal underbelly during that period.
The collection includes images of various offenders, ranging from teenage housebreakers to experienced criminals involved in forgery and safe-blowing. The mugshots were taken by police, with officers often instructing criminals to display their hands, as many had lost fingers. Some were photographed next to mirrors to preserve film while capturing their profiles.
Several notable figures from these records include:
-
Arthur Morrison and Edward Gallacher: Both teenagers from Glasgow, aged 16 and 15 respectively, they were jailed for four days on 7 March 1905 for theft by housebreaking. Arthur, also known as James Brown, had a cut on the left side of his head, while Edward, referred to as Thomas Brown, had a mark on the back of his head and a cross tattooed on his right forearm.
-
John Duffy: A 21-year-old clerk from Glasgow, he was imprisoned on 1 September 1908 for pickpocketing. Duffy had a history of petty crime, having previously been caught stealing in Cambuslang and Dumbarton.
-
Joseph Wilson: At 23, Wilson was a labourer from Glasgow who received a one-year sentence on 9 March 1904 for theft and safebreaking. He had distinctive features, including an anchor tattoo on his left arm.
-
Richard McGowan: A 31-year-old pipe mender from Glasgow, McGowan was jailed on 4 July 1910 for embezzlement and theft of watches. His tattoos included a bust of a lady on his right forearm.
-
William Ponsonby: A 22-year-old labourer from Dumbarton, Ponsonby was sentenced to 60 days on 19 May 1909 for theft by housebreaking. His tattoos included a Union Jack and a cross in memory of his mother.
-
Alfred Sutherland: Known as James Stanley, Sutherland, aged 20 from Hawick, was imprisoned on 12 July 1904 for housebreaking and forgery. He had a tattoo of clasped hands surrounded by a rising sun.
-
George Ewart: A 32-year-old sailmaker originally from Wales was jailed for four months on 3 November 1903 for theft. He was noted as having a fair complexion and grey eyes.
These mugshots not only capture the faces of these historical figures but also serve as a reminder of the social challenges of the time in Scotland. The Glasgow City Archives continues to offer valuable resources for those interested in the region’s history, including its criminal past.
