In 1725, Jonathan Wild, known as London's 'Thief-Taker General', was executed at Tyburn amid public outrage. Wild had gained notoriety for his dual role as a crime-fighter and orchestrator of criminal activities, leading to a complex relationship with the law and society. His hanging highlighted the public's growing disillusionment with corruption and the justice system, as well as the societal tensions surrounding crime and morality in early 18th-century London.

The hanging of Jonathan Wild in 1725 inspired a wave of satirical literature, including works by Henry Fielding. These critiques of corruption and the criminal underworld shaped the portrayal of antiheroes in poetry and prose, influencing the development of the novel and social commentary.