History has a way of resurfacing in the most unexpected ways. A recently discovered collection of Victorian-era mugshots is shining a light on some of the youngest offenders of the 19th century, more than 140 years after they were first taken.
A Haunting Ledger From Exeter Gaol
The so-called rogue’s gallery, believed to date back to the 1870s or 1880s, comes from Exeter Gaol and features 48 mugshots, including seven children.
Six of these youngsters appear to be under ten years old, while one is slightly older.
Their exact offenses remain a mystery, but like the Artful Dodger from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, many were likely caught pickpocketing or stealing food.
Crimes Lost to History
The four-sided ledger containing these images doesn’t list the crimes committed, leaving their stories largely untold.
What we do know is that the photos capture a time when photography was still a novelty, especially for the working class and the criminalised poor.
According to a spokesperson for Lawrences Auctioneers, who are set to sell the ledger in Crewkerne, Somerset:
“This haunting page offers a glimpse into the lives of men—and children—who passed through Exeter Gaol in the late 19th century.
While the crimes are not listed, some would have been petty theft, such as loaves of bread.
Children often ran past shops grabbing what they could because their families didn’t have money to buy anything.”
A Window Into Victorian Law Enforcement
These mugshots also represent a significant development in law enforcement.
Photography was still relatively new, but prison governors recognized its usefulness. One governor noted that photography was “unquestionably a very useful auxiliary and should be brought into prison use generally.”
The practice helped authorities identify repeat offenders, particularly transient individuals, sometimes called ‘tramps and strangers.’
While Belgium produced the first criminal photographs in the 1840s, by 1857 both London and New York police forces had adopted the practice more widely.
Rare Survival Makes Ledger Unique
Most of the images in the ledger depict adult men, and there are no women or girls featured.
The Lawrences spokesperson highlighted the rarity of such a complete, locally sourced collection:
“The survival of such a complete and local set is extremely rare, making it not only a compelling artefact of criminal history, but a significant West Country artefact.”
A Tangible Link to Forgotten Lives
The individuals captured in these photographs remain largely anonymous.
Their backgrounds, crimes, and fates are unknown, but for historians, researchers, or the curious-minded, this ledger offers a tangible connection to the past.
It is a rare opportunity to trace the lost footsteps of real lives once documented—and almost entirely forgotten.
