Burke and Hare scrapbook, c1829
Scope and Contents
This volume contains ballads, news reports and posters, all connected with the trial of Burke and Hare for the West Port murders in 1828. Much of the material is unique and includes a letter written in Burke’s own blood taken from his head after his execution, said to have been written by Professor Alexander Monro. This complements his actual skeleton in the University of Edinburgh Anatomy Museum.
Dates
- Creation: c1829
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Certain material may be restricted due to Data Protection and other legislative reasons.
Biographical / Historical
Because of the shortage of corpses for anatomical study at a time of rapid student growth, William Burke and William Hare found they could profit from killing people and selling their cadavers to the anatomists.
Extent
1 volume
Creator
Subject
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk