| Description Of Item | The Burke and Hare murders, also known as the West Port Murders – after where they were committed – were committed by William Burke and William Hare. In late 1827, a lodger of Hare’s died, and in order to make up the financial loss, Burke and Hare sold the body to Dr Robert Knox. During 1828 they murdered at least fifteen people, all of whom were sold to Dr Knox for dissection. Suspicions arose when they murdered a teenage boy called James Wilson who was well known locally as ‘Daft Jamie’ who was then recognised by students during dissection. On October 31 1828 they murdered Margery Campbell or Docherty, whose body was then found, resulting in the arrest of both. Burke was publicly executed in January 1829.
Contents: A leather-bound book titled ‘West Port Murders’ which contains pamphlets including the trial of William Burke and Helen M’Dougal, the trial of William Hare, considerations of the phrenology of Burke and Hare as well as other murderers, newspaper articles and broadsides from the era, and poetry.
Bound during the 19th century, precise date of binding and by whom is unknown. The volume was included in the College's 19th century library catalogue, and so has been in the College's possession since that time. Transferred from library January 2025, previous reference SM 5.22, prior to that the 19th century reference was Bb 3.44. |