About: John Robert Radclive

John Robert Radclive (19th century - February 1911, also known as Ratcliffe) was Canada's first professional hangman, serving from 1892 until the early 20th century. Placed on the federal payroll as a hangman by a Dominion order-in-council in 1892, on the recommendation of the justice minister Sir John Thompson: Radclive had trained under British hangman William Marwood. He is known to have hanged at least 69 people in Canada, although his life total was probably much higher. At his death, the Toronto Telegram said he had 150 executions. He died of alcohol-related illness in Toronto on February 26, 1911, at the age of 55.