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Crime, Deviance, and the Social Discovery of Moral Panic In UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON FACULTY OF HUMANITIES History Volume 1 of 1 Crime, Deviance, and the Social Discovery of Moral Panic in Eighteenth Century London, 1712-1790 by Christopher Thomas Hamerton Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy November 2016 ABSTRACT This thesis utilises the theoretical device of Folk Devils and Moral Panics, instigated by Stanley Cohen and developed by Erich Goode and Nachman Ben-Yehuda, to explore the discovery of, and social response to, crime and deviance in eighteenth- century London. The thesis argues that London and its media in the eighteenth- century can be identified as the initiating historical site for what might now be termed public order moral panics. The scholarly foundation for this hypothesis is provided by two extensively researched chapters which evaluate and contextualise the historiography of public opinion and media alongside the unique character and power located within the burgeoning metropolis. This foundation is followed by a trio of supportive case studies, which examine and inform on novel historical episodes of social deviance and criminality. These episodes are selected to replicate a sequence of observable folk devils within Cohen’s original typology – youth violence, substance abuse, and predatory sex offending. Which are transposed historically as the Mohocks in 1712, Madam Geneva between 1720-1751, and the London Monster in 1790. Taken together, these three episodes provide historical lineage of moral panic which traverses much of the eighteenth-century, allowing for social change, and points of convergence and divergence, to be observed. Furthermore, these discrete episodes of moral panic are used to reveal the social problems of the eighteenth-century capital that informed the control narratives that followed. Consequently this thesis makes an important contribution to the understanding of both moral panic theory, and the historiography of crime and deviance, and posits that the current discourse on folk devils and moral panics can be extended via the exploration of the moral crises of earlier centuries. i ii Contents ABSTRACT - i Contents - iii DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP -vii Acknowledgments - ix Abbreviations - xi Introduction - 1 Background and principle aims of the thesis Perceptions within previous research The socio-historical locus of moral panic theory Definitions, methodology, and thesis structure Chapter 1 - 27 The shaping of opinion: Literacy, media, and folk devils in eighteenth-century London Eighteenth-century London as public sphere Literacy, oral culture, idea transmission The significance of imagery to consensus of morality From popular press to watchman press Unearthing the origins of folk devils: Beyond the Newgate Calendar Concluding thoughts iii Chapter 2 - 55 This great and monstrous thing, called London Living cheek by jowl: Stratification, diversity and built environment in the city Hub of commerce, temptation and strain Mobile vulgaris: the noise of thousands of tongues and feet The morality of the mob: Consensus and symbolism in the Beggar’s Opera The contradiction of social control within the infancy of criminal justice Concluding thoughts Chapter 3 - 89 Who has not trembled at the Mohocks name? Panic on the streets, 1712 Rake culture and gang violence Discovery: A small nation of savages Prediction: Press consolidation and calls for order Consensus and disproportionality by royal proclamation Political capitalism and the guardians of order Perspective: Defoe, Gay, and tragi-comical farce Dénouement and symbolisation Concluding thoughts Chapter 4 - 121 Kill-grief and Comfort: Madam Geneva and the London gin panic, 1720-1751 iv Innovation and discovery: The seductive Madam Geneva Always roving: The revenue imperative and the human cost The trial of the spirits: Cosmetic social surgery The premature death of Madam Geneva The lesser of two evils: Crime, consensus and moral regulation Concluding thoughts Chapter 5 - 155 Morality amid monstrosity: The London Monster panic, 1790 Sex, the metropolis, and the monstrosity of deviance Folk Devils and Sexual Monsters Discovery: ‘Oh ho! Is that you!’ The pursuit of decency: Consensus, panic and the press Moral entrepreneurship and the focussing of hostility Hysteria, ridicule and iconography Capture, censure, and the machinations of trial by media Concluding thoughts Conclusion - 189 Appendix – Illustrations - 195 Bibliography - 209 v vi DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP I, Christopher Thomas Hamerton declare that the thesis entitled: Crime, Deviance, and the Social Discovery of Moral Panic in Eighteenth Century London, 1712-1790 and the work presented in the thesis are both my own, and have been generated by me as a result of my own original research. I confirm that: this work was done wholly or mainly while in candidature for a research degree at this University; where any part of this thesis has previously been submitted for a degree or any other qualification at this University or any other institution, this has been clearly stated; where I have consulted the published work of others; this is always clearly attributed; where I have quoted from the work of others, the source is always given. With the exception of such quotations, this thesis is entirely my own work; I have acknowledged all main sources of help; where the thesis is based on work done by myself and jointly with others, I have made clear exactly what was done by others and what I have contributed myself; none of this work has been published before submission Signed: Dated: vii viii Acknowledgments Throughout my life I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who have shared a passion for history, including my father and grandfather, who would both have enjoyed discussing the content of this thesis alongside my own progression as a scholar. I have also benefitted from some outstanding teachers at school and university, who have continually provided spark along the way - with Claire Buckley, Alan Coombs, Andrew Rutherford, worthy of special mention, and the inspirational Penny Green key. Penny was the person who said that I should read, Peter Linebaugh’s The London Hanged, amongst so much else. I am glad that I listened. The Department of History at the University of Southampton is a special place that welcomes and enthuses in equal measure, and I will remember my candidature and contact with such a dedicated and brilliant staff group with great fondness. My greatest academic debt is undoubtedly owed to my gifted supervisor Dr Julie Gammon for her expertise, patience, and kindness. Julie’s knowledge and passion for the history of crime is infectious, she has encouraged and guided this project from inception, steering with a deft hand and a reassuring smile, whilst providing wise counsel whenever it was required. I would like to express my gratitude for the assistance provided by the staff of the Hartley Library at Southampton, along with those at the Bodleian and British Libraries, and the London Metropolitan and National Archives. Many at these institutions expressed interest in my work, all have imparted knowledge and offered help when it was needed, whilst allowing me access to their treasures. Friends have offered both encouragement for the research, and an escape from it, and I have appreciated their support and good humour, particularly over the past year. I certainly look forward to seeing more of Anne Brunton, Cecilia Cappel, Sacha Darke, Francis Dodsworth, Simon and Esther Higgins, Sue and Dick Hobbs, Peter Jones, Mark Ramsden, Karen and Henry Summers, Jeanne-Francoise and Phil Williamson, and Catherine Worsfold, over the coming months. I am especially grateful to my family, not least, my indefatigable mother-in-law, Brenda Burt, who has generously given her time and energy freely as care-giver, caretaker and confidant over the past year and a half. Also, my wonderful children Laura, Henry, Elizabeth, and grandson Archie, all of whom have been tolerant and understanding towards their oft missing parent, whilst providing instant sunshine when it was needed. Finally, I thank my wife, Gabrielle, who knows more about eighteenth-century deviance and formatting Microsoft Word documents than she ought to. For her understanding, her optimism, and her strength, and without whom this thesis would certainly never have seen the light of day. ix x Abbreviations BNA – British Newspaper Archive, British Library LMA – London Metropolitan Archives, City of London NA – National Archives RCP – Royal College of Physicians SPCK – Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge SRM – Societies for the Reformation of Manners xi xii Introduction Background and principle aims of the thesis The terms ‘folk devil’ and ‘moral panic’ appeared together for the first time in 1972 as the title of the sociologist Stanley Cohen’s seminal book Folk Devils and Moral Panics, which was based on the Mods and Rockers gang phenomenon of the early 1960s.1 Cohen’s ground-breaking study examined the disproportionately hostile media and public reaction to this perceived ‘youth problem’ and its elevation over time to being symptomatic of a society in social and moral decline. The faceless folk devils of Cohen’s study are the juvenile gang members, their actions perceived as deviant, criminal and threatening - and the moral panic ensues due to media distortion, exaggeration, and sensationalism. This growing hysteria fuelled by social commentators and politicians, whom he labels ‘moral entrepreneurs,’ is enthusiastically adopted as a symbolic hobby horse by an
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