Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare, No. 1 & 2

Category

Library Item

Item no

21661

Title

Wretch's Illustrations of Shakespeare: dedicated without permission, no.1 & 2

Description

At the top of this illustration is three images of Dr Robert Knox from different angles. He is depicted balding, wearing glasses, a blue coat and yellow waistcoat. The bottom image shows Knox dissecting a cadaver in front of an auditorium of students.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Engraver

R.H.Nimmo

Date

1829

Type

Lithograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This is the first two illustrations from 'Wretch's Illustrations of Shakespeare' and they depict Dr Robert Knox. The lithographic prints consist of caricatures of the main people involved in the case of William Burke and William Hare drawn by R.H Nimmo.

Dr Robert Knox was the anatomical lecturer by whom the bodies provided by Burke and Hare were dissected. He is described as 'a prominent nocturnal Luminary under partial Observation.'

Dr Robert Knox (1791-1862) first began to lecture on anatomy in 1825 and became very popular. On average over three hundred students attended his lectures at No 10, Surgeons Square. Sometimes there were over five hundred, which meant he had to repeat the lecture three times in one day as there was not enough room for them all in the lecture hall. Although the bodies were sold to Dr Knox Burke said in the 'Courant' confession that 'Dr Knox never incoureged him'.

William Burke and William Hare provided corpses for dissection by murdering people, but for almost one hundred years corpses had been provided from recent graves by people known as 'resurrectionists'. People had taken various self-help measures such as placing cages known as mortsafes over graves, or paying subscriptions to gravewatching societies, which meant the graveyards would be patrolled by armed guards. None of these methods was foolproof. But the crimes of Burke and Hare created so much anxiety amongst the public that in 1832 the Anatomy Act was passed which ensured a legal supply of bodies for anatomists.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

People > Education and communication > Scientists

People > Education and communication > Teachers

People > Health and safety > Physicians

Places > Edinburgh areas > New Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.

Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare, no. 1 & 2

Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare, no. 1 & 2