THE TRUE STORY OF BURKE & HARE

Softcover. William Burke and William Hare were a deadly duo - they stopped at nothing to supply doctors with bodies for medical research in return for payment. Their cold-blooded killings in Edinburgh at the beginning of the 19th century created a sensation throughout Europe and led to the passing of the Anatomy Act of 1832. Both were Irishmen. Burke arrived in Scotland about 1818, and by 1827 he was living in an Edinburgh lodging house run by fellow countryman Hare. They were greedy men but their most lucrative way of making money was also their most evil. In the taverns and dens of Auld Reekie they sought out likely victims who were lured back to the lodging house and plied with drink. Once in a state of intoxication the 'guest' was suffocated and the body loaded into a cart for transportation to the rooms of Dr Knox. Knox was a highly respected anatomist but none of his peers or students knew that he was paying out hard cash for the bodies of murder victims - bodies which were essential to the continuing progress of his pioneering work, In 9-months Burke and Hare had murdered more than a dozen people. After they were arrested Hare turned King's evidence, thereby making possible Burke's conviction and execution. This book tells the full remarkable story. Illus. 45pp. softcover. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. F. with no creasing to covers.