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Book cover of Murdering to Dissect: Grave-robbing, "Frankenstein" and the anatomy literature by Tim Marshall

Murdering to Dissect: Grave-robbing, "Frankenstein" and the anatomy literature

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Author:

Tim Marshall

Number Of Reads:

125

Language:

English

Category:

literature

Section:

Pages:

50

Quality:

good

Views:

1268

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Book Description

When "Frankenstein" appeared in 1818 it was well known that the medical profession lent silent support to the grave-robbing gangs who regulary sold the surgeons newly-buried bodies for dissection. This "resurection trade" led to the sensational Burke and Hare case, which revealed that the bodies of murder victims had been pased to the Edinburgh surgeon Dr Robert Knox with his connivance. This work demonstrates that the third edition of "Frankenstein", appearing in 1831, acquires a remarkable range of new meanings from these developments. Marshall's particular historical focus is the Anatomy Act of 1832, which ended the grave-robbin trade by permitting the use of unclaimed pauper bodies for dissection. He argues that "Frankenstein" and the Anatomy Act can be seen as twins, one in the world of the imagination, the other in the realms of legilation. "Frankenstein" and a range of affiliated literature is read alongside accounts of medical, legal and political/social history. Drawing on work by Ruth Richardson, Elias Canetti and Karl Polyani, Marshall assembles the early-19th century's fictional commentary on the changing and troubled status of the medical profession.
Author portrait of Tim Marshall

Tim Marshall

Timothy John Marshall, born on 1 May 1959, stands as a distinguished British journalist, author, and broadcaster with a focus on foreign affairs and international diplomacy. Renowned for his significant contributions, Marshall, formerly the diplomatic editor and foreign affairs editor for Sky News, serves as a guest commentator on global events for esteemed platforms such as the BBC, Sky News, and LBC.

Marshall's literary accomplishments are noteworthy, encompassing seven books, including the acclaimed "Prisoners of Geography," which secured a place as a New York Times Best Seller and topped the Sunday Times bestseller list. In 2019, he expanded his reach by releasing a children's illustrated version titled "Prisoners of Geography: Our World Explained in 12 Simple Maps," earning a nomination for Waterstones Book of the Year. Additional successful titles in Marshall's repertoire include "The Power of Geography," a Sunday Times bestseller, "Shadowplay: The Inside Story Of Europe’s Last War," and the 2018 Sunday Times bestseller "Divided: Why We’re Living In An Age Of Walls."

Beyond his writing and broadcasting roles, Tim Marshall is the founder and editor of the news web platform thewhatandthewhy.com. This platform serves as a hub for journalists, politicians, foreign affairs analysts, and enthusiasts to share their perspectives on global news events, reflecting Marshall's commitment to fostering a diverse and informed discourse on international affairs.

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