Skip to content
Home
Favourites
0
Advanced search
Shopping cart
0
Register
Log in
Images of Edinburgh
Browse map
Area A - Z
Browse by date
Exhibitions
Current exhibition
All exhibitions
Collections
About the collections
Browse by theme
Subject A - Z
The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries
Images of Edinburgh
Browse map
Area A - Z
Browse by date
Exhibitions
Current exhibition
All exhibitions
Collections
About the collections
Browse by theme
Subject A - Z
Subject matches "Teachers" or its children
Back to search results
Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare: no.7
1829, Lithograph
Item
of 25
Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare: no.7
Wretchs Illustrations of Shakespeare: no.7
Add to favourites
Share
Item record
About this image
Related
Location
Category
Library Item
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.
Exhibitions with this item
Burke and Hare's Edinburgh
Graveyards and cemeteries of Edinburgh
Other views of this item
Related images
Related subjects
Crime and punishment
>
Criminals and prisoners
>
Criminals
People
>
Education and communication
>
Scientists
People
>
Education and communication
>
Teachers
People
>
Health and safety
>
Physicians
Places
>
Scotland
>
Edinburgh
More like this
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital File
Electronic file 72 dpi JPEG
£7.32
(inc. VAT 20%)
Add
Digital File
Electronic File 300 dpi TIFF
£37.20
(inc. VAT 20%)
Add
You can view and use digital images for personal and educational use. For more information, read our
policy on image use
.
If you wish to use our images for commercial use, please
contact us
.
The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries