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Burke and Hare scrapbook, c1829

 Item — Box: EUA Acc.2015/005 (grey box)
Identifier: EUA IN1/ACU/A2/21/1

Staff Only
p. 41

p. 41

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.

Full Extent

1 volume

Language of Materials

English