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Hare's Wife and Child

Unknown, 1829, Wash drawing
Hare's Wife and Child
Hare's Wife and Child
Hare's Wife and Child
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Category
Library Item
Item no
21655
Title
Hare's Wife and Child Taken from a sketch furnished by one of the jury
Description
An image of Margaret Hare looking down at the baby that she is cradling in her arms. She is wearing a blue dress over which is a grey hooded cloak and a bonnet.

The poet, Donald Campbell has written a poem inspired by Mrs Hare, the wife of the infamous murderer, William Hare:

Mrs. Hare

No-one believed she never knew
the nature of her husband's game.
Her innocence did not ring true.
It was clear she bore some blame.

Burke and Hare caused so much pain;
this nightmare she was living through,
They killed and killed and killed again,
No-one believed she never knew.

Poverty, her constant guest
made every day seem much the same.
Small wonder that she never guessed
the nature of her husband's game.

The money she received from Hare
she took as only her just due.
How could she then be unaware?
Her innocence did not ring true.

She must have guessed his guilt sometimes.
She shared his bed and shared his name;
She shared the profit of his crimes
so it was clear she bore some blame.
Artist / maker
Date
1829
Location
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG​
£7.32(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF​
£37.20(inc. VAT 20%)
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