Head Cast of William Burke, 1829 [WAM 03386.002]

Item Information

Title:
Head Cast of William Burke, 1829 [WAM 03386.002]
Description:
A hollow plaster cast of a man's head and neck. Cast has section lines, possible phrenological, sculpted onto head. Mounted on base. 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:
1829
Format:
Objects/Artifacts
Location:
Center for the History of Medicine (Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine)
Collection (local):
Warren Anatomical Museum
Casts
Subjects:
Burke, William, 1792-1829
Plaster casts
Head
Faces
Phrenology
Link to Item:
https://collections.countway.harvard.edu/onview/items/show/5818
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Notes:
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.
Identifier:
Warren Anatomical Museum Catalog Number: 03386.002