Phrenology cast of head of William Burke

Phrenology cast of head of William Burke

Casts

Grave Robbing

Phrenology

Death-Masks

Spurzheim, J. G. (Johann Gaspar), 1776-1832

Burke, William, 1792-1829

Hallow plaster cast of a man's head and neck, painted white. Cast sculpted into pedestal base.

Combe, George, 1788-1858 (original)

1829-1835

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Warren Anatomical Museum (03386.001)

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.

image

death masks

physical object

WAM 03386.001

The original of this death cast was taken by George Combe after Burke was hanged in 1829. This cast was originally in the collections of Dr. J. G. Spurzheim and Mr. J. D. Holm of London. After Spurzheim's death in 1832, it was then acquired by the Boston Phrenological Society. After the society's active existence was terminated, it was purchased by John Collins Warren circa 1842 and donated to the Warren Museum in 1847.

20.3 W x 25.5 D x 32.4 H"