Johnathan Wild was an English criminal and a notorious figure in the early 18th century. Born in 1682, he became known as a "thief-taker," a person who would capture criminals for a reward. However, he often operated in a morally ambiguous manner, sometimes orchestrating crimes himself to profit from the rewards. Wild's influence grew as he established a network of criminals and informants. He was eventually arrested and tried for his own crimes, leading to his execution in 1725. His life inspired various literary works, including Henry Fielding's novel, which satirized the corruption of law enforcement during that era.