King James IV of Scotland
King James IV of Scotland is noted to be the reason for Resurrectionists (Body Snatchers)
In the 1500s, it was noted that doctors paid for fresh bodies to study. Makes you wonder how Leonardo Da Vinci was able to create all his anatomy drawings in the late 1400’s, drawings that were later enhanced to use professionally in medical schools today. King Henry VIII allowed 4 bodies of executed prisoners each year to study, it became a theatrical experience and was done in front of hundreds of people like a show.
It was Illegal to dissect a body because they believed that the body needs to remain intact in order to make it to the after life.
1700’s the British government created a law called the Murder Act, where anyone who was convicted of a murder, their own body would then be donated to medical science. It was against the law for a murder to be buried. Medical students had plenty of legally obtained cadavers to practice on.
Stiff Drink
Ever resourceful, the grim thieves found another way to make a buck. They sold the leftover whiskey to unwitting customers. These were called “stiff drinks” according to Ripley’s. The term was actually coined to describe a dead English Admiral whose body was preserved in brandy.
John Scott Harrison
Most famous body that was snatched. The only person to be a father and a son to a United States President.
Father | President William Henry Harrison
Son | President Benjamin Harrison
"At that time it was common practice for graves to be robbed for recently deceased bodies for use in teaching dissection and anatomy at medical colleges. As a result, many precautions were taken to secure Harrison's grave, including building a cemented brick vault, filling the grave with earth mixed with heavy stones, and employing a watchman to check the grave each hour of every night for a week."
Diary of a Ressurrectionist
Sunday 1st. Met & went to the Big gates got 3. Took them to St. Thomas’s, not settled.
Monday 2nd. Met at Mr. Vickers, Jack & Tom went to the fight, at home all night.
Tuesday 3rd. Went to St. Thomas’s, at night went to Pencress got 8 adults, 2 small and 2 fœtus.
Wednesday 4th. Met at Jack’s & settled, at home all night.
Thursday 5th. Went to St. Thomas’s; at night early, went out & got 1 St. Thomas’s Crib: at home all night.
Friday 6th. Went to look out Big gates Green, at night got 1 Big gates.
Saturday 7th. At Home all day and night.
Sunday 8th. Met at Night, Jack, Tom & Danl. went to Harps got 5 Large, Bill and me went to the Big gates, miss
Monday 9th. At Home all day and night.
Tuesday 10th. Went to St. Thomas’s & settled.
Wednesday 11th. Went to the Big Gates to Look out, at night the party went to the above Place and again missd., all got drunk.
Thursday 12th. At Home all day & night.
Friday 13th. Went to look out, met at night and went to Wiegate got 5 large, also went to the Green got 8 large took them Bartholomew.
Saturday 14th. Met at Barthol. sent 5 to Edinburgh, Mr. Wilson 3, Brookes 2, Barthol. 1. Settled each man’s share £3 6 8. 2 on hand.
Sunday 15th. Went to Look out, at night went to St. John’s, Got 1 Large and 1 Large Small, Burnt. Took the Large to Wilson, small to St. Thomas’s. Paid Hollis £11 11 0 at the order of Miss Kay.
Present Day
In the 1880’s embalming was invented and essentially ended body snatchers because medical schools could keep cadavers for months rather than just a few days. If it wasn’t for resurrectionists, modern day medicine wouldn’t be what it is now.
Lets give a slow clap to that dark history.
