In the early 19th century, Edinburgh was a hub of medical innovation, especially in the field of human anatomy. However, this progress came with a dark side: a severe shortage of bodies for medical research and teaching. At the time, Scottish law only allowed the dissection of bodies from prisoners, suicide victims, or orphans. This limitation led to an illegal trade in corpses, with bodies fetching between 8 to 10 pounds each—a significant amount back then. Although grave robbing was reported, it was often exaggerated by the media.
On November 29, 1827, a lodger who owed rent to his landlord, William Hare, died. Frustrated by the unpaid debt of 4 pounds, Hare decided to sell the body for anatomical studies to recover his losses. He teamed up with his friend, William Burke, to remove the body from the coffin and replace it with tanning bark. They hid the body under the bed and later sold it to Dr. Robert Knox for 7 pounds and 10 shillings.
Realizing the potential for profit, Burke and Hare began seeking more bodies for Dr. Knox without waiting for natural deaths. Over the next year, they are believed to have killed 16 people, mostly by getting their victims drunk and then smothering them. Contrary to popular belief, they never robbed graves; their victims were often transients or homeless individuals who wouldn’t be missed in the bustling city of Edinburgh. Their victims included 12 women, 2 disabled youths, and 2 men—one of whom was sick and the other elderly.
Their last victim was Margaret Docherty, an Irish immigrant, who was invited to the Hares’ home for a drink on Halloween, October 31, 1828. The next day, she was found murdered in one of the bedrooms. They tried to bribe a witness with 10 pounds a week, but the witness refused. When the police arrived, they found Docherty’s bloodstained clothing hidden under the bed but no body. Suspicion grew when Burke and Hare, along with their wives, gave inconsistent accounts of their activities the night before.
The investigation led the police to Dr. Knox’s dissecting rooms, where they found Docherty’s body being prepared for dissection. With enough evidence, the police arrested Burke and Hare, along with their wives, for Docherty’s murder. However, proving the murders was challenging. Although the police surgeon and two doctors concluded that Docherty had been suffocated, it couldn’t be medically proven as the other 15 victims had already been dissected.
In response to public outrage and sensational media coverage, the authorities offered Hare immunity from prosecution, which he accepted. This also meant that all charges against his wife were dropped, as a husband could not testify against his wife at that time. Hare confessed to the murders, and on December 4, 1829, Burke and his wife were charged with three counts of murder, including that of Margaret Docherty.
The trial began on Christmas Eve 1828 and lasted through the night. After 55 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Burke guilty of Docherty’s murder. Burke’s wife was acquitted. In a twist of fate, the judge ordered that Burke’s skeleton be given to science, where it is now displayed in the anatomical museum of the Edinburgh medical school. His death mask can be seen at the Surgeons’ Hall Museum, along with a book made from Burke’s skin. Hare was released on February 5, 1829, and disappeared from public view.
Three years later, the Anatomy Act of 1832 was passed, allowing medical authorities to take unclaimed bodies from workhouses after 48 hours. This increased the availability of bodies for dissection and reduced, though did not eliminate, the illegal trade in corpses.
The story of Burke and Hare is a chilling reminder of how desperation and greed can lead to horrific acts. It also highlights the importance of ethical practices in medical research. Perhaps this tale of history has inspired you to explore science further, maybe even by creating a science website. With tools like WIX, you can build a professional site regardless of your skill level. Visit WIX.com/go/simplehistory to start your project today.
Research the evolution of medical ethics from the 19th century to today. Focus on how cases like Burke and Hare influenced changes in laws and ethical standards. Prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting key reforms and their impact on modern medical practices.
Participate in a class debate on the Anatomy Act of 1832. Divide into two groups: one supporting the act as a necessary reform and the other critiquing its implications. Use historical evidence and ethical considerations to support your arguments, and engage in a respectful discussion about its legacy.
Imagine you are a journalist in 1828 Edinburgh. Write a newspaper article covering the Burke and Hare trial. Include interviews with key figures, public reactions, and potential impacts on medical practices. Use creative writing to bring the historical context to life while maintaining factual accuracy.
Reenact the trial of Burke and Hare in a classroom setting. Assign roles such as judges, lawyers, witnesses, and the accused. Prepare scripts based on historical records and perform the trial, focusing on the legal challenges and societal pressures of the time. Reflect on the experience and discuss the trial’s outcome.
Analyze how media sensationalism influenced public perception of the Burke and Hare murders. Compare historical newspaper articles with modern media coverage of similar events. Discuss in groups how sensationalism affects public opinion and the justice system, and propose ways to ensure responsible journalism.
This episode is sponsored by WIX. Go to WIX.COM/SIMPLEHISTORY to create a website.
Today, we discuss the Burke and Hare murders (1827 – 1829), which involved a total of 16 murders. During the 19th century, Edinburgh was at the forefront of medical advancements, particularly in the study of human anatomy. However, this progress led to a significant shortage of corpses for teaching and research purposes. At that time, Scottish law allowed dissection only for those who had died in prison, suicide victims, or orphans. Consequently, an illegal trade in corpses emerged, fetching 8 to 10 pounds each—a considerable sum in those days. While instances of grave robbing were reported, they were often exaggerated by the media.
On the night of November 29, 1827, a lodger who owed rent money to his landlord, William Hare, died. Hare, frustrated by the debt of 4 pounds, decided to sell the body for anatomical studies to recover his losses. He enlisted the help of his friend, William Burke, to remove the body from the coffin and replace it with tanning bark. They hid the body under the bed and later sold it to Dr. Robert Knox for 7 pounds and 10 shillings.
Seeing a profitable opportunity, Burke and Hare sought ways to provide more corpses for Dr. Knox without waiting for natural deaths. Over the next year, they are believed to have killed 16 people, primarily by getting their victims intoxicated and smothering them. Contrary to popular belief, they were never known to have robbed graves; their victims were typically transients or homeless individuals—people who would not be missed in a growing city like Edinburgh. Their victims included 12 women, 2 disabled youths, and 2 men—one of whom was ill and the other an elderly man.
All the corpses were sold to Dr. Knox, who was head of the local anatomy school. He later claimed that due to the lack of obvious signs of violence, he never suspected foul play. Although the courts believed Knox was not involved in any criminal activities—largely because Burke testified that Knox was unaware of their actions—the press and public opinion were different, leading to Knox’s career being ruined.
Burke and Hare’s last victim was Margaret Docherty, an Irish immigrant, who was invited to the Hares’ home for a drink on Halloween, October 31, 1828. The next day, she was found murdered in one of the bedrooms. They attempted to bribe a witness with 10 pounds a week, but the witness refused. When the police arrived, they found Docherty’s bloodstained clothing hidden under the bed but no body. The police’s suspicions grew when Burke and Hare, along with their wives, provided inconsistent accounts regarding their activities the night before.
The investigation quickly led the police to Dr. Knox’s dissecting rooms, where they discovered Docherty’s body being prepared for dissection. Confident they had sufficient evidence, the police arrested Burke and Hare, along with their wives, for Docherty’s murder. However, the authorities were less certain. Although the police surgeon and two doctors concluded that Docherty had been suffocated, it could not be medically proven, as the other 15 victims had been dissected, making autopsies impossible.
In response to public outcry and sensational media coverage, the authorities offered Hare immunity from prosecution, which he accepted. This also meant that all charges against his wife were dropped, as a husband could not testify against his wife at that time. Hare confessed to the murders, and on December 4, 1829, Burke and his wife were charged with three counts of murder, including that of Margaret Docherty.
Their trial began on Christmas Eve 1828 and lasted throughout the night. After 55 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Burke guilty of Docherty’s murder. Burke’s wife was acquitted. The timeline from Burke’s arrest to execution was swift, and in an ironic twist, the judge ordered that Burke’s skeleton be given to science, where it is now displayed in the anatomical museum of the Edinburgh medical school. His death mask can be seen at the Surgeons’ Hall Museum, along with a book created from Burke’s skin. Hare was released on February 5, 1829, and was never seen or heard from again.
Three years later, the Anatomy Act of 1832 was passed, allowing medical authorities to take unclaimed bodies from workhouses after 48 hours, which increased the availability of bodies for dissection and reduced, though did not eliminate, the illegal trade in corpses.
Maybe this simple history episode inspired you to create a science website, something you can do with WIX, the website builder that gives you complete creative freedom for your project or business. Go to WIX.com/go/simplehistory to create a professional site, regardless of your skill level.
Burke – To suppress quietly or indirectly – In the 19th century, some medical schools were accused of trying to burke the controversy surrounding the use of cadavers for anatomical study.
Hare – A reference to William Hare, who, along with William Burke, was involved in the infamous body-snatching case in 19th century Edinburgh – The notorious duo, Burke and Hare, supplied bodies to medical schools, highlighting the desperate need for ethical reform in anatomical studies.
Anatomy – The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms – The study of anatomy was revolutionized during the Renaissance, leading to more accurate medical knowledge and practices.
Dissection – The action of dissecting a body or plant to study its internal parts – Dissection of human cadavers became a crucial part of medical education, despite initial public and religious opposition.
Murder – The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another – The murder of individuals for the purpose of selling their bodies to medical schools was a dark chapter in the history of anatomical science.
Investigation – The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research – The investigation into the Burke and Hare murders revealed the grim realities of body-snatching in the 19th century.
Trial – A formal examination of evidence in a court, typically with a judge, and often a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings – The trial of Burke and Hare was a sensational event that captivated the public and led to significant legal reforms.
Evidence – The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid – The evidence presented during the trial was overwhelming, leading to Burke’s conviction and execution.
Reform – Make changes in something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice, in order to improve it – The public outcry over the Burke and Hare case led to reforms in the laws governing the use of cadavers for medical research.
Ethics – Moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity – The ethical considerations surrounding medical dissection have evolved significantly, ensuring respect and dignity for the deceased.
