Drawing of Jonathan Martin (ref: MOR/4/129)

This drawing comes from a volume titled ‘A Collection of Original drawings by Roshard, A Johnson, Gow etc made to illustrate the works of Sir Alexander Morison on Mental Diseases’. It appears as Plate 67 in 'The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases' published in 1840 and is probably by Alexander Johnston. The brief caption on the reverse reads ‘Martin - Bethlem C D set fire to York Minster’ – just a tantalising glimpse of what is a fascinating story.

Jonathan Martin (1782-1838) is best known for his arson attack on York Minster in 1829. Earlier in his life he had been a Wesleyan Methodist preacher but he became increasingly hostile towards the Church of England and this took an extremist turn. In 1817, Martin threatened to assassinate Edward Legge, the Bishop of Oxford. He was tried and eventually committed to Gateshead Asylum. He escaped in 1821 and returned to preaching although by this time he was disowned by the Methodists.

After he moved to York in 1828 he had another breakdown, with his actions again centred on the Church of England. After attending evensong at York Minster on 1st February 1829, he hid in the cathedral, set fire to the choir and escaped through a window. The roof of the central aisle was entirely destroyed, as was most of the woodwork in the interior, including the bishop's throne and the pulpit.

Martin was arrested on 6th February and tried at York Castle. He was declared not guilty on grounds of insanity and sent to the Criminal Department  of Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, where he died on 3 June 1838.

• A larger version of the drawing is available here