Jonathan Martin (arsonist)

Jonathan Martin (1782 – 3 June 1838) was an English arsonist, famous for setting fire to York Minster in 1829.

He left the Navy when his ship was broken up in 1810, returning to Norton, County Durham, where he married,[2] and his son Richard was born in 1814.

[3] After threatening to shoot the Bishop of Oxford,[4] Edward Legge at a confirmation service in Stockton in 1817, he was arrested, tried, and was sent to a private lunatic asylum in West Auckland.

His wife died of breast cancer in 1821, and he escaped from the asylum for a second time, returning to work as a tanner[2] and preacher.

A section of the roof of the central aisle approximately 131 foot (40 m) long was destroyed, stretching from the lantern tower towards the east window, together with much of the internal woodwork from the organ screen to the altar screen, including the organ, medieval choir stalls, the bishop's throne, and the pulpit.

[4] The cause – arson – soon became apparent, and the culprit was identified from threatening placards Martin had left on the Minster railings in previous days, including his initials and address.

During this period of detention, he made a number of drawings,[3] including self-portraits and an apocalyptic picture of the destruction of London.