The death penalty

Abstract

Introduction: The Marquis Beccaria published in 1767 his famous essay on “Crimes and Punishments” in which he argued so powerfully against the justice and expediency of punishment by death that the Grand Duke of Tuscany was induced by reading the essay to abolish that mode of punishment in his dominion. Ever since that time it has been a question much discussed and of considerable interest though little written work can be found upon it. A brief review of the historical status of this punishment may assist, to some extent, in forming some conclusions as to its comparative value.