Broadside concerning the life of Charles McEwan, convicted of murder

Commentary

This report begins: 'A correct account of the hardened and deplorable behaviour of Charles McEwan (now under sentence of death in Edinburgh) since his condemnation ; with a sketch of his life and transactions in the north, since he left Ireland, about ten years ago.' Published in Edinburgh by the booksellers.

There is no date given here. However, we can guess roughly by looking at other broadsides relating to the case in the National Library of Scotland's collection. This broadside must have been printed sometime between McEwan's trial, which was held on March 1st, and the 7th of April, when McEwan was hung at the top of Libberton's Wynd in Edinburgh. A handwritten date at the bottom of the broadside suggests it was published on 27th March, but we cannot be absolutely certain of this.

Reports recounting dark and salacious deeds were popular with the public, and, like today's sensationalist tabloids, sold in large numbers. Crimes could generate sequences of sheets covering descriptive accounts, court proceedings, last words, lamentations and executions as they occurred. As competition was fierce, immediacy was paramount, and these occasions provided an opportunity for printers and patterers to maximise sales.

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