Arthur Furguson (1883–1938) was (or may have been) a Scottish con artist who allegedly became known for "selling" English national monuments and other property to visiting American tourists during the 1920s.
It is claimed that in the 1920s, Furguson sold monuments such as Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square (for the sum of £6,000), Big Ben (£1,000 for a down payment), and Buckingham Palace (£2,000 for a down payment) to American tourists. Furguson immigrated to the US in 1925. He sold the White House to a rancher on the installment plan for yearly payments of $100,000, and tried to sell the Statue of Liberty to a visiting Australian, who went to the police. Furguson was imprisoned and was released in 1930. He continued to defraud people in Los Angeles until his death in 1938.
However, according to author Dane Love, who profiled Furguson in his book The Man Who Sold Nelson's Column, the existence of Furguson himself may be a hoax. Love attempted to trace contemporary records which would confirm the story, but found "[t]here was nothing about his arrest, his trial or his time in jail in New York. There's not even any trace of his grave in Los Angeles, where he supposedly died in 1938."[1][2]
arthur, furguson, those, similar, name, arthur, ferguson, disambiguation, 1883, 1938, have, been, scottish, artist, allegedly, became, known, selling, english, national, monuments, other, property, visiting, american, tourists, during, 1920s, claimed, that, 19. For those of a similar name see Arthur Ferguson disambiguation Arthur Furguson 1883 1938 was or may have been a Scottish con artist who allegedly became known for selling English national monuments and other property to visiting American tourists during the 1920s It is claimed that in the 1920s Furguson sold monuments such as Nelson s Column in Trafalgar Square for the sum of 6 000 Big Ben 1 000 for a down payment and Buckingham Palace 2 000 for a down payment to American tourists Furguson immigrated to the US in 1925 He sold the White House to a rancher on the installment plan for yearly payments of 100 000 and tried to sell the Statue of Liberty to a visiting Australian who went to the police Furguson was imprisoned and was released in 1930 He continued to defraud people in Los Angeles until his death in 1938 However according to author Dane Love who profiled Furguson in his book The Man Who Sold Nelson s Column the existence of Furguson himself may be a hoax Love attempted to trace contemporary records which would confirm the story but found t here was nothing about his arrest his trial or his time in jail in New York There s not even any trace of his grave in Los Angeles where he supposedly died in 1938 1 2 See also editGeorge C Parker Victor LustigReferences edit Hainey Raymond 8 February 2009 TV quiz host Stephen Fry duped by story of fictional Scots conman The Daily Record Sundaymail co uk Archived from the original on 12 February 2009 Retrieved 7 July 2023 Le Journal 20 January 1939 Further reading editAyto John and Ian Crofton Brewer s Britain amp Ireland London Weidenfeld amp Nicolson 2006 ISBN 0 304 35385 X Love Dane The Man Who Sold Nelson s Column and Other Scottish Frauds Birlinn Ltd 2007 ISBN 978 1 84158 612 0 Strange Stories Amazing Facts Sydney Reader s Digest 1981 pp 470 471 ISBN 0 89577 028 8 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arthur Furguson amp oldid 1218547479, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
