29/07/2026
Arthur Thompson (1931–1993) was one of the most notorious figures in the history of Scottish organised crime.
Known as the Godfather of Glasgow’s underworld, Thompson built a reputation during the 1960s and 1970s as a powerful and feared criminal figure, with his influence centred around the city’s east end.
Thompson’s criminal career was linked to protection rackets, violence, and various forms of organised crime. He became one of Scotland’s best-known gangland figures and was frequently associated with clashes between rival criminal groups.
His name became synonymous with Glasgow’s violent underworld during an era when gangland conflicts regularly made headlines.
In 1983, his son, Arthur Thompson Jr., was shot dead
The attack became one of the most infamous events in Scotland’s gangland history and highlighted the brutal rivalries that existed within the criminal underworld.
Arthur Thompson died in 1993, but his legacy remains a major part of Scottish crime folklore. His life has since been examined in books, documentaries, and newspaper investigations, with his story reflecting a turbulent period in Glasgow’s history when organised crime had a significant public presence.
