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William Burke and William Hare
Manage episode 349412431 series 3425174
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In the early 19th century, Edinburgh was the leading European center for anatomy. Dissections were so popular, that the city began running out of cadavers. By Scottish law, the only bodies that could be used were those who died in jail, suicide victims, and orphans. People began stealing bodies from graves, which wasn't illegal. Anatomists would pay handsomely for bodies. As measures to stop grave robbing heightened, two men took matters into their own hands. William Burke and William Hare began a killing spree in exchange for money from anatomist Robert Knox. In November 1828, both men and their wives were caught after suspicion had arose. Hare was granted immunity as long as he testified against Burke. Hare's wife was also granted the same. Hare admitted to killing sixteen people along with Burke and went into great detail of the methods. Burke was found guilty and sentenced to death. His wife was found no proven, which meant she was guilty but there wasn't enough evidence to convict. Burke was hanged in February 1829. His body was dissected and his skeleton was preserved. To this day, it is on display at the Anatomical Museum of the Edinburgh Medical School.
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