William Chaloner, The Master Criminal Taken Down And Executed By Sir Isaac Newton
The famous British mathematician, scientist and politician wasn’t just responsible for understanding gravity, he was also a stone cold legal mind
Sir Isacc Newton is a popular historical figure who is still widely remembered nearly 300 years after he died. Best known for his observations of gravity and for his general contributions to the Scientific Revolution, the Englishman was also involved in politics and running the Royal Mint. Becoming an advocate for fighting back against rampant counterfeiting, he developed a reputation for bringing law and order into currency, including the prosecution and execution of noted forger William Chaloner.
Chaloner was born to a poor family in 1650 in Warwickshire, England. He was considered a difficult child, and as an adolescent was apprenticed to a nail maker in Birmingham, a town at the time with a notoriety for counterfeiting. The youngster quickly joined in the devious ranks and was soon churning out fake groats (worth four pennies) and tin watches.
As an adult, Chaloner fell headlong into a life of crime. Between acting as a conman and his counterfeiting, he became a master criminal, pulling schemes with great…
