With their cold and brutal methods of execution, these merciless executioners instilled fear and dread among many death row inmates, leaving them feeling “chilled” at the mere mention of their names.
Albert Gustaf Dahlman was the last executioner of Sweden. For a long time, the profession of executioner was held in high regard in Sweden, and Dahlman was one of 200 individuals chosen for this role. From 1885 to 1910, Albert Gustaf Dahlman executed at least 6 death row inmates before the country abolished the death penalty.
Anatole Deibler was one of the most infamous French executioners. Known for executing inmates faster than a “guillotine”, he swiftly gained notoriety after being appointed chief executioner in 1899, having executed 395 inmates. His terrifying reputation grew exponentially after his death when 14 diaries detailing his executions were discovered.
Albert Pierrepoint came from a famous family of executioners in England. He gained fame for his presence at the Nuremberg Trials, participating in the prosecution of over 200 Nazi officials found guilty of war crimes.
William Marwood was a government executioner in England, known for his swift executions. During the Irish rebellion, he became well-known for executing 4 individuals opposing the British government at that time. Over his 9-year career, William hanged 176 people.
James Berry was a student of William Marwood and became known as a famous executioner during the Victorian era. As Marwood’s assistant, Berry learned a great deal from him about the swift execution of inmates. He was known as a civilized executioner and never considered himself a “Hangman.” According to historical records, he executed over 130 individuals during his career.
Charles Henri-Sanson came from a family with a tradition of executioners in France for over 200 years. Henri-Sanson became famous for bravely speaking out against the government regarding the abolition of hanging and beheading as forms of punishment at the time. His advocacy resulted in the use of the guillotine instead of human executioners, reflecting a more humane approach.
Giovanni Battista Bugatti was a notorious Italian executioner, known for being the longest-serving executioner. With the nickname Mastro Titta, or the man of justice, he executed 516 individuals. He was described as small but strong and enjoyed dressing elegantly. The famous writer Lord Byron wrote about this notorious executioner while witnessing his executions, and the famous Italian poet Giuseppe Gioachino Belli even wrote satirical poems about Bugatti. Bugatti’s blood-stained clothing and guillotine are displayed in a crime museum in Rome.
Robert G. Elliott was once considered the “representative of death” and played a significant role in the American criminal justice system. From 1890 to 2014, Robert executed approximately 10% of death row inmates in the United States. He was known as one of the few executioners to carry out executions using the electric chair. Notorious death row inmates in American history, such as Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, faced strict and severe sentences at the hands of Robert G. Elliott.
Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, also known as the Duke of Alva, was an executioner serving under King Philip of Spain. During his career, Fernando was rumored to have executed 8,000 people in just one day. The stories were further exaggerated when it was said that he dealt with 18,000 Dutch prisoners during his time there.
Richard Brandon was a well-known executioner famous for his swift and decisive actions. To achieve that level of skill, Richard practiced continuously on dogs and cats for many years. In 1649, King Charles I met his end at the hands of Richard Brandon, and to avoid retaliation, he and his assistant had to disguise themselves with fake beards.
