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Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare: no.7
1829, Lithograph
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of 24
Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare: no.7
Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare: no.7
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Item no
21666
Title
Wretch's Illustrations of Shakespeare: no.7
Description
The print is entitled "Wretch's Illustrations of Shakespeare" and is split in to two sections. At the top William Burke and William and Margaret Hare (carrying their infant) stand talking. Under them is an altered quote from Macbeth. A larger illustration at the bottom depicts Dr Robert Knox covering his face with a mask as he talks to Burke. Burke has blood on his face. A cadaver lies on a table behind them. They are discussing the murder of Daft Jamie again this has been written in Shakespearean form.
Engraver
R.H.Nimmo
Date
1829
Type
Lithograph
Location
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection
This is the seventh illustration from 'Wretch's Illustrations of Shakspeare' and it depicts William Burke and William and Margaret Hare. 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.
The verse below the illustration is based on the play 'Macbeth' by Shakespeare, but the name 'Macbeth' has been changed to 'Macdeath' and is meant to represent Dr Robert Knox. In the lower illustration Burke is depicted chatting with Dr Knox who wears a mask to hide his identity. The verses below discuss the fate of one of the victims, known as 'Daft Jamie'.
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.
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Burke and Hare's Edinburgh
Graveyards and cemeteries of Edinburgh
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