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From Oscar Wilde to Ronnie Biggs: A History of Wandsworth Prison

Thursday 15th May 2025, 18:30 (Doors open at 18:15)

From Oscar Wilde to Ronnie Biggs: A History of Wandsworth Prison

Since its completion in 1851, as Surrey House of Correction, Wandsworth Prison has housed some of Britain’s most notorious and well-known prisoners.

Originally holding men, then women and children, it became the hanging prison for South London in 1878.

Many convicted criminals who had stood before magistrates at Bow Street found themselves incarcerated here, including Oscar Wilde, William Joyce (AKA ‘Lord Haw-Haw’), Roger Casement, the Kray twins and James Earl Ray.

Join us to explore the incredible history of this Victorian institution, including Jack the Ripper suspects, John Haigh, (AKA The Acid Bath Murderer), Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs and his infamous escape, and how capital punishment was carried out at Wandsworth Prison from 1878 to 1961, with high-profile executioner Albert Pierrepont a frequent visitor.

Stewart McLaughlin is the Honorary Curator of the Wandsworth Prison Museum and an author of several books on the prison’s history.

Wandsworth Prison Museum is viewable by appointment only, and contains over 470 objects and items coving the gaols history. It has been open since 2008.

Timings: doors open at 18:15. The talk begins at 18:30 and lasts approximately 75 minutes, including a Q&A with the audience.

Conditions of entry: this event is recommended for anyone over the age of 16 years. 

Tickets: there are two ways to attend this event, in person at Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice, or online via a live stream (using Zoom). 

Prices to attend at the Museum: £12 / £9.60 Friends.

Join our livestream via Zoom

From Oscar Wilde to Ronnie Biggs: A History of Wandsworth Prison

Thursday 15th May 2025, 18:30

From Oscar Wilde to Ronnie Biggs: A History of Wandsworth Prison

Since its completion in 1851, as Surrey House of Correction, Wandsworth Prison has housed some of Britain’s most notorious and well-known prisoners.

Originally holding men, then women and children, it became the hanging prison for South London in 1878.

Many convicted criminals who had stood before magistrates at Bow Street found themselves incarcerated here, including Oscar Wilde, William Joyce (AKA ‘Lord Haw-Haw’), Roger Casement, the Kray twins and James Earl Ray.

Join us to explore the incredible history of this Victorian institution, including Jack the Ripper suspects, John Haigh, (AKA The Acid Bath Murderer), Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs and his infamous escape, and how capital punishment was carried out at Wandsworth Prison from 1878 to 1961, with high-profile executioner Albert Pierrepont a frequent visitor.

Stewart McLaughlin is the Honorary Curator of the Wandsworth Prison Museum and an author of several books on the prison’s history.

Wandsworth Prison Museum is viewable by appointment only, and contains over 470 objects and items coving the gaols history. It has been open since 2008.

Timings: The talk begins at 18:30 and lasts approximately 75 minutes, including a Q&A with the audience.

Conditions of entry: this event is recommended for anyone over the age of 16 years. 

Tickets: there are two ways to attend this event, in person at Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice, or online via a live stream (using Zoom). 

Prices to attend online via Zoom: £6.00 / £4.80 Friends.

Join us in person at the museum

Portraits in the Attic

Thursday 19th June 2025, 18:30 (Doors open at 18:15)

Beginning with Oscar Wilde’s incarceration, Sacha will explore the ways in which gothic literature and horror has been informed by sexual transgression; why were so many gothic writers queer, and why have queer folk historically been so drawn to stories with tragic endings, ghosts and decaying grandeur? Also, what was the impact of Oscar Wilde’s life, death and imprisonment on other writers and creators then and now?

Finally, he will explore the connection that has repeatedly been drawn between LGBTQ+ people and death in general, from the murders of Whitechapel, Victorian spiritual mediums, all the way to Disney villains.

For better and often worse, why do queer folk find themselves so closely embroiled in dark narratives, and at what cost?

Sacha Coward has worked in museums and heritage for over 10 years. For the past three years, he has been freelancing as an historian, public speaker, and researcher. He has run LGBTQ+ focused tours for museums, cemeteries, archives, and cities around the world. Last year he published his first book ‘Queer As Folklore’ an exploration of myths and monsters from a queer perspective.

Queer as Folklore is Sacha's first book.

Timings: doors open at 18:15. The talk begins at 18:30 and lasts approximately 75 minutes, including a Q&A with the audience.

Conditions of entry: this event is recommended for anyone over the age of 16 years. 

Tickets: there are two ways to attend this event, in person at Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice, or online via a live stream (using Zoom). 

Prices to attend at the Museum: £12 / £9.60 Friends.

Join our livestream via Zoom

Portraits in the Attic

Thursday 19th June 2025, 18:30

Beginning with Oscar Wilde’s incarceration, Sacha will explore the ways in which gothic literature and horror has been informed by sexual transgression; why were so many gothic writers queer, and why have queer folk historically been so drawn to stories with tragic endings, ghosts and decaying grandeur? Also, what was the impact of Oscar Wilde’s life, death and imprisonment on other writers and creators then and now?

Finally, he will explore the connection that has repeatedly been drawn between LGBTQ+ people and death in general, from the murders of Whitechapel, Victorian spiritual mediums, all the way to Disney villains.

For better and often worse, why do queer folk find themselves so closely embroiled in dark narratives, and at what cost?

Sacha Coward has worked in museums and heritage for over 10 years. For the past three years, he has been freelancing as an historian, public speaker, and researcher. He has run LGBTQ+ focused tours for museums, cemeteries, archives, and cities around the world. Last year he published his first book ‘Queer As Folklore’ an exploration of myths and monsters from a queer perspective.

Queer as Folklore is Sacha's first book.

Timings: The talk begins at 18:30 and lasts approximately 75 minutes, including a Q&A with the audience.

Conditions of entry: this event is recommended for anyone over the age of 16 years. 

Tickets: there are two ways to attend this event, in person at Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice, or online via a live stream (using Zoom). 

Prices to attend online via Zoom: £6.00 / £4.80 Friends.