The Burke and Hare Case

By Crusader1307

 Messers William Burke and William Hare, are known to Criminal History as ''Body Snatchers'' of some renown. During the year of 1828, in Edinburgh, Scotland – The ''Deadly Duo'' added to the terror which gripped The City already. But one must understand the ''background before the foreground'' first. Perhaps a little glimpse into the times and the misnomer associated with Burke and Hare will serve.

 

There is a distinct ''difference'' in the two grisly occupations. Grave Robbing was perhaps on the ''short list'' for ''World's Oldest Occupations''. Since time began, The Wealthy and Titled were often buried after death, with all manner of jewels and such. Regardless of being interned in the ground or within an elaborate Tomb structure, the temptation to steal such was too great. Even though most Countries and Kingdoms served the ''Death Penalty'' as justice for committing such unspeakable acts – ''Grave Robbery'' was a ''popular'' criminal endeavor. By contrast, ''Body Snatching'' was a relatively ''new Crime''. It was born out of a cottage industry of ''Supply and Demand'' and involved of all respectable Professions...Medicine. With the advancement of Medicine and it's research designed to understand Human Anatomy and Diseases, more and more Medical Colleges sprang up in Europe. Hundreds in fact, all competing to recruit the best and brightest of young and idealistic future Doctors.

A principle part of such Coursework is The Study of Human Anatomy. Although detailed books and illustrations serve fine, nothing beats the actual dissection of a deceased body for understanding. The need for Cadavers for study became extremely important. One must remember that, in the 18th and 18th Centuries, One did NOT donate their remains to ''Science'' (due to religious and social stigmas). So where would a Medical School ''get'' their needed ''supply? Simple. Prisons, Workhouses etc. Often, unofficial contracts existed with Prisons and such. When a Convict was executed or died without Family to claim their remains, The Establishment would ''sell'' the bodies to Medical Schools. But what happens when the supplies from these places run out or are not available......Body Snatching.

The process was simple. Criminals monitored who in Town died. Owing to the burial customs of internment withing a day, Criminals would sneak into graveyards at night and remove the body, quickly selling to to a local medical School. No doubt The School was well aware of the illegal activity, but turned a ''blind eye''. Even if caught, a Criminal faced a misdemeanor Crime, not punished by the Death sentence. As we have seen, Body Snatching led to the associated industry of ''Morte Safes'', ''Morte Houses'', Novelty Security Systems (eg ''Cemetery Guns''), and of course, armed Watchwatch. But many cities and Towns could not afford to provide them always, and it still became the burden of the Deceased Family to purchase their own services or devices. Body Snatching was little effected by any of the above procedures.

 

Burke and Hare were two such Criminals that developed their own ''industry''. But they performed their crimes at the height of Body Snatching and Grave Robbing in Scotland and England at the time. They became merged into the genre, but neither were Grave Robbers or Body Snatchers....They were early Serial Killers who profited from selling their victims to Medical Science. Hence, when portrayed in literature, art and later film, Burke and Hare are always shown as ''Grave Robbers'' equipped with ''Shovel and Spade''. But in reality, it was Burke who came up with the idea. Owning a Boarding House in Edinburgh, He catered to the downtrodden and poor – especially those without Family. Mostly older types, after long – Burke and His accomplish Hare – began to strangle to death ''selected'' Tenants. They then sold their bodies to The Edinburgh Medical School. It is estimated that 16 people died under their hands (but it may have been more).

It took Police some time to link Burke and Hare to the Crimes. But even good Police work was thwarted by a lack of evidence. What little finally found, would be difficult to get to stand in Court. But it was a plea deal with Hare that caused the evidence to stick to Burke. Given ''immunity to prosecution'', Hare ''rolled'' on His Partner. As such, Burke was convicted (of just one death) – and sentenced to Hang. But to further hammer home the sentence to future Criminals – Burke's remains was ordered to be dissected by a Medical School! And Hare? He was taken under cover of night by Police to the outskirts of Edinburgh. He was ordered banned to The City. He disappeared into History, never to be heard from again.

 

True to order, Burke was hanged (to a crowd of 15,000 spectators). His remains were indeed delivered to The Edinburgh Medical School, and He was indeed – dissected. But to further the advance of Justice, Burke's body was denuded of flesh and organs. He was rendered into a Skeleton. Mounted, Mr. Burke became an anatomic ''display'' used to teach Students for MANY years. In the early 20th Century, ''He'' was finally retired. Being encased in glass, Mr. Burke became part of The College's Medical Museum. But that's NOT all regarding the end of Mr. Burke. Some enterprising Dissectionist, kept some of Burke's flesh and gave it to a local Tanner. As the ''Legend'' goes, these ''pieces'' were fashioned into several Calling Card Cases and a Journal covering. It is unclear why and if anyone actually purchased the gruesome items. They too are presently displayed with Mr. Burke – to this day.