Julian Woodford Talk: The Boss of Bethnal Green

Find out about the appalling life of Huguenot descendant Joseph Merceron (1764 to 1839).  He was a gangster, corrupt magistrate, businesman and local politician.  All this will be revealed by Julian Woodford, the author of ‘The Boss of Bethnal Green’ – a man who lined his own pockets whilst creating the conditions that led to Victorian London’s worst slums.  He became famous for his corrupt practices.

Merceron was born and raised in Brick Lane, Bethnal Green.  His family were of prominent Huguenot stock; his grandfather was a refugee who migrated to London following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.

Ruling Spitalfields and Bethnal Green for half a century, Merceron gave the East End a lingering reputation for ruthlessness and was recently the villian of the final series of the BBC’s Poldark.

Since graduating from the University of York Julian Woodford has combined a City career with a passion for London’s history.  The Boss of Bethnal Green is his first book.

This talk takes place on Saturday 23rd May from 2 pm to 3.30 pm at The Huguenot Museum located at 95 Rochester High Street ME1 1LX.

The cost of a ticket is £6 and can be obtained online here.