Jonathan Wild

Jonathan Wild was an 18th-century English criminal notorious for both his illegal activities and his complex role as a thief-taker—the equivalent of a modern undercover investigator—who supposedly caught other criminals. Interestingly, he also manipulated the system by secretly profiting from thefts himself, earning him the reputation of a clever and corrupt figure. Wild's actions and deception made him a famously complex character, illustrating the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminality in that era. His life story highlights themes of deception, corruption, and moral ambiguity in early 18th-century London.