The Resurrectionists

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A collection of broadsides, ballads, pamphlets, prints, and more concerning the body-snatchers and murderers William Burke and William Hare, their accomplices, and their victims.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, intense anatomical study, with direct observation of dissection of human cadavers, was an integral part of medical training at Europe's leading medical schools. Educating doctors produced a demand for human bodies that quickly outstripped the supply. In the United Kingdom prior to 1832, where executed criminals were the primary legitimate source for cadavers, a bustling trade in bodies developed, with grave robbers, or "Resurrection Men," supplying the anatomists with illegal, but much-needed specimens.

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00. Contents
00. Contents
Typed table of contents for The Resurrectionists, supplied by the library of The New York Academy of Medicine.
01. Burke, the murderer
01. Burke, the murderer
Tipped in newspaper clipping concerning the death of Helen M'Dougal, alleged accomplice of Burke and Hare, in New South Wales, Australia.
02. [Autograph letter signed by William Burke and dated January 27, 1829]
02. [Autograph letter signed by William Burke and dated January 27, 1829]
Letter handwritten by William Burke while he was in jail awaiting execution.
03. William Burke--a new song
03. William Burke--a new song
Tipped in ballad, illustrated. Undated.
04. Letter to the Lord advocate, disclosing the accomplices, secrets, and other facts relative to the late murders; with a correct account of the manner in which the anatomical schools are supplied with subjects
04. Letter to the Lord advocate, disclosing the accomplices, secrets, and other facts relative to the late murders; with a correct account of the manner in which the anatomical schools are supplied with subjects
Pamphlet, disbound and mounted.
05. Reflections suggested by the murders recently committed at Edinburgh, &c. being an epistle to the right Hon. Robert Peel, M. P. Secretary of State for the Home Department, in which, Burke's iniquitous practices are traced to their real source ...
05. Reflections suggested by the murders recently committed at Edinburgh, &c. being an epistle to the right Hon. Robert Peel, M. P. Secretary of State for the Home Department, in which, Burke's iniquitous practices are traced to their real source ...
Disbound pamphlet.
06. A laconic narrative of the life and death of James Wilson, known by the name of Daft Jamie; to which is added, a few anecdotes relative to him and his old friend Boby Awl, an idiot who strolled about Edinburgh for many years
06. A laconic narrative of the life and death of James Wilson, known by the name of Daft Jamie; to which is added, a few anecdotes relative to him and his old friend Boby Awl, an idiot who strolled about Edinburgh for many years
Chapbook that has been disbound and mounted in a window-pane style. Illustrated.
07. William Burke's murders in the Westport
07. William Burke's murders in the Westport
Mounted ballad.
08. The Westport murders : a new song
08. The Westport murders : a new song
Mounted ballad, illustrated.
09. The recent murders : a new song
09. The recent murders : a new song
10. Elegiac lines on the tragical murder of poor Daft Jamie
10. Elegiac lines on the tragical murder of poor Daft Jamie
Illustrated broadside poem. At head of title is illustration of a barrel with inscription: "Alas! Poor Daft Jamie's pickled." Note at bottom advertising the publication of "A laconic narrative of the life and death of poor Jamie."
11. Elegiac lines on the tragical murder of poor Daft Jamie
11. Elegiac lines on the tragical murder of poor Daft Jamie
Illustrated broadside poem. At head of title is illustration of a barrel with inscription: "Alas! Jamie's pickled." There is an introductory poem following the title that is not present in the first edition. There is a note at bottom advertising the publication of the second edition of "A laconic narrative of the life and death of poor Jamie."

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