Jenny Diver

Who was Jenny Diver?

Jenny Diver, née Mary Young was a notorious British pickpocket, one of the most famous of her day.

Diver was the illegitimate daughter of an unknown father and the lady's maid Harriet Jones, who deserted her, and grew up in various foster homes. She was a skilled seamstress, and eventually emigrated to London, where she became an apprentice of Anne Murphy, who was the leader of a gang of pickpockets. She soon became so skilled as a thief that she became the leader of Murphy's gang and nicknamed Jenny Diver.

Jenny Diver was described as attractive, educated and well dressed, and was able to mix among wealthy people without attracting suspicion. The perhaps most known of her methods was to feign illness, during which she robbed people and handed over the objects to her accomplices, and the use of false arms, which made it possible for her rob people with her arms seemingly visible in her lap.

On two occasions, in 1733 and 1738, Diver was arrested, gave the court a false name with no criminal record, and was convicted to deportation as a first-time criminal.