​​

John Lawless is a Bradford-based author and independent researcher with a particular focus on Victorian crime, public records, and the intersection between history and modern governance.

​

His work is characterised by a practical, evidence-led approach, combining archival research, legal frameworks, and on-the-ground investigation to bring overlooked historical cases back into public awareness.

​

His interest in the 1888 murder of John Gill arose during research for his book Stolen Innocents. What began as a historical enquiry developed into a broader examination of how historic graves are managed when ownership records no longer exist, highlighting the challenges that arise when administrative systems meet incomplete history.

​

Rather than treating history as something static, his work often explores how the past continues to interact with present-day institutions, policies, and responsibilities.