James Berry

James Berry (1852-1913) served as an executioner between 1884 and 1892. He was born in Heckmondwike, Yorkshire, but lived most of his life in Bradford. Berry succeeded as chief executioner Bartholomew Binns, whose propensity for drink and loose talk had led to bungled hangings and unfortunate publicity. Berry himself was not immune to error: misjudgement of the drop led to one victim being decapitated at Norwich Prison, and the near-decapitation of another, at Kirkdale, Liverpool. In his career he performed 131 hangings.

Berry wrote a volume of memoirs entitled My Experiences as an Executioner; like Albert Pierrepoint, in retirement he changed his views about capital punishment, and he campaigned for its abolition.