Head Cast of William Burke, 1829 [WAM 03386.002]
Dublin Core
Title
Head Cast of William Burke, 1829 [WAM 03386.002]
Subject
Burke, William, 1792-1829
Plaster casts
Head
Faces
Phrenology
Description
A hollow plaster cast of a man's head and neck. Cast has section lines, possible phrenological, sculpted onto head. Mounted on base.
Abstract
From an Irish man named William Burke. During 1827 and 1828, William Burke and William Hare murdered numerous individuals in order to sell the bodies to physicians for dissection. Many of their victims were smothered since this left little evidence of foul play. Eventually they were arrested for their crimes. William Hare turned state's evidence to save his own life. William Burke was convicted and executed in 1829.
Date Created
1829, circa
Access Rights
Accessing collections in the Warren Anatomical Museum and the Warren Anatomical Museum archive requires advanced notice. Please submit a request to Public Services to access the displayed item.
Is Part Of
Casts
Is Referenced By
J. B. S. Jackson, "The Descriptive Catalogue of the Warren Anatomical Museum," (Boston: A. Williams & Company, 1870), 713.
"A Catalogue of Phrenological Specimens Belonging to the Boston Phrenological Society," (Boston: John Ford, 1835), 9.
M. H. Kaufman & Robert McNeil, "Death masks and life masks at Edinburgh University," British Medical Journal, Volume 298 (London: February 1989), 506-507.
George Combe, "Answer To "Observations on the Phrenological Development of Burke, Hare, and Other Atrocious Murderers By Thomas Stone, Esq.", The Phrenological Journal and Miscellany, Volume VI (Edinburgh, August 1829 - December 1830), 1 - 14.
Format
image
Type
physical object
Identifier
Warren Anatomical Museum Catalog Number: 03386.002
Provenance
The specimen is originally from the collections of Dr. J. G. Spurzheim and Mr. J. D. Holm of London. It was then collected by the Boston Phrenological Society. After the society's active existence was terminated, it was purchased by John Collins Warren.
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Cast
Physical Dimensions
29.5 H x 19 W x 22 D cm
Files
Collection
Citation
“Head Cast of William Burke, 1829 [WAM 03386.002],” OnView, accessed May 6, 2024, https://collections.countway.harvard.edu/onview/index.php/items/show/5818.