Infamous Burke and Hare

Serial Killers and Resurrectionists of Nineteenth Century Edinburgh

Häftad, Engelska, 2009

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Body snatchers and grave robbers were the stuff of Victorian lore, but two real-life culprits took the crimes out of shadowy cemeteries and into criminal court. William Burke and William Hare aided Scottish surgeons competing for anatomical breakthroughs by experimenting on human corpses. As the duo evolved from petty theft to premeditated murder, they unwittingly brought attention to the medical practices of the era, leading to Burke's death by hanging. This account not only explores the work of the resurrectionists, it reflects the nature of serial killers, 1820s criminal law, and Edinburgh's early role as a seat of European medical research. Readers interested in the legal aspects of these crimes will find the trial testimony included to be a valuable resource.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2009-09-09
Mått152 x 229 x 14 mm
Vikt367 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor273
FörlagMcFarland & Co Inc
ISBN9780786444038

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Table of ContentsIntroduction I—The Field and the Players1. Of Supply and Demand in Old Edinburgh 2. Of Medical Men and Resurrectionists II—The Many Works of Burke and Hare3. The Merchandise of “John and William” 4. The Risky Murder of Mary Paterson 5. The Pace Increases 6. The Murders of “Daft Jamie” and Mary Docherty 7. Rumors of Murder as the Investigation Begins III—The Legal System Does Its Work8. A Trial for Burke, But Not for Hare 9. Into the Night as the Testimony Continues 10. The Testimony of a Serial Killer 11. The King’s Justice for a Serial Killer IV—A Postscript for Resurrectionists12. It Was a Hanging Affair—January 28, 1829 13. The Press Takes Center Stage 14. The Aftermath of Serial Murder Appendix 1. Witness List for the Trial of William Burke and Helen McDougal Appendix 2. The Complete Testimony of William Hare Appendix 3. Report of the Committee of Investigation as to the Dealings of Dr. Knox with the West Port Murderers Appendix 4. A Chronology of Serial Murder Appendix 5. The Caledonian Mercury—January 1, 1829 Appendix 6. The Word on the Street—January 28, 1829 Appendix 7. Broadsheet on Burke’s Execution—January 28, 1829 Chapter Notes Bibliography Index