Crime / Resurrectionists
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Crime / Resurrectionists
Robbing graveyards for corpses which will be sold to medical schools for purposes of anatomy
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 574076
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10009768
1830 Corpses Crime Grave Graveyards Purposes Robber Robbers Robbing Schools Sold
EDITORS COMMENTS
This haunting image from the annals of medical history depicts a group of resurrectionists, or body snatchers, at work in a graveyard circa 1830. The grisly trade of robbing graves for corpses, which were then sold to medical schools for anatomical research and study, was a common and lucrative practice during this period. With the demand for fresh bodies outpacing the supply from legal sources, the resurrectionists filled the gap, often working under the cover of darkness to avoid detection. The scene in this photograph is reminiscent of the infamous Burke and Hare case, which came to light in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1828. Burke and Hare, two notorious resurrectionists, were eventually caught and brought to trial after they were unable to supply their regular customer, Dr. Robert Knox, with a fresh body. The public outcry and resulting investigations led to increased scrutiny of the practice and the eventual passing of the Anatomy Act of 1832, which made it legal for bodies of the indigent and unclaimed to be used for anatomical research. Despite the passage of the Act, the practice of body snatching continued in various forms, with some resurrectionists turning to more violent methods to obtain their victims. The image of these men at work in the graveyard serves as a stark reminder of the ethical dilemmas and moral complexities that surrounded the study of anatomy during this period. The use of fresh, intact bodies was essential for advancing medical knowledge, but the means by which they were obtained raised profound questions about the value of human life and the limits of scientific progress.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
