In 1735, the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin gained infamy for his daring exploits, including a legendary ride from London to York. His criminal activities and flamboyant persona captured the public's imagination, making him a folk hero despite his life of crime. Turpin's eventual execution in 1739 only solidified his status as a cultural icon, representing the romanticized view of outlaws in English folklore.

Turpin's mythologized life featured in broadside ballads and Walter Scott-inspired poetry, cementing the romantic highwayman in British literary tradition. Poets like Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Louis Stevenson later drew on this archetype, exploring themes of rebellion and the allure of the outlaw.