Joseph Blake, better known as "Blueskin," was a notorious English highwayman and criminal in early 18th-century London.
His nickname, "Blueskin," may have originated from a particular skin tone or appearance, though this is not fully certain. Blake became widely known for his involvement in a violent incident with the notorious magistrate and "thief-taker" Jonathan Wild, who was involved in capturing many criminals at the time.
Blake's most infamous moment occurred in 1724 when awaiting trial for his crimes, he attacked Wild in a fit of rage. Armed with a knife, Blake severely injured Wild in the courtroom. Although Wild survived the attack, this act intensified the public's interest in Blake's case.
After the trial, Joseph Blake was sentenced to death by hanging. He tried to escape Newgate Prison whilst incarcerated without success and never showed any remorse for his crime.
He was executed at Tyburn, London, on November 11, 1724 - 300 years ago. The event drew a large crowd, as executions at Tyburn often did.
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