Vocabulum; or The Rogue's Lexicon

George W. Matsell (1811-1877) was a significant figure in the mid-19th century American law enforcement and literature. Though not exclusively a literary figure, Matsell's contribution to the field is marked by his seminal work, 'Vocabulum; or The Rogue's Lexicon' (1859), a dictionary of criminal slang used in New York. As an influential Chief of Police in New York City, Matsell had an intimate kn...