ABSTRACT
Joseph John Gurney (1788–1847) joined the family bank in which he became a partner. A Quaker, he was the brother of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry and brother-in-law of Sir James Mackintosh. He was active in the causes of anti-slavery and prison reform. The Forgery, Abolition of Punishment of Death Act, 1832 abolished the death penalty for all offences of forgery, except for forging wills or any power of attorney, and these latter exceptions were abolished in 1837. In the 1830s, indeed, the capital code was effectively dismantled by Whig Home Secretary Lord John Russell. The number sentenced to death fell in one decade from 4,000 in 1828–1830, to 249 in 1838–1840; while the number of hanged fell from 178 to 26. A re-consideration of the case appeared to be most important, but this could not be obtained, unless the witness could be brought before the proper authorities.
