Product Description

Before 1832 dissection was a feared and hated punishment for murder. The 1832 Anatomy Act requisitioned instead the corpses of the poor, transferring the penalty from murder to poverty. The Anatomy Act contributed to the terrible fear of the Victorian workhouse and influences attitudes towards death even today. This is an unputdownable analysis which draws on many disciplines to explore the fundamental issues of folklore and science, life and death and the political struggles surrounding ownership of the body in the 19th century. 'A heartfelt dilemma whose history is movingly explored....Passionate, powerful and elegant' Roy Porter, Guardian

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #600570 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

About the Author
Dr Ruth Richardson was born and grew up in Notting Hill, London. She was educated at Holland Park School, the City Literary Institute, and the University of Sussex. After leaving school she worked as a librarian in various specialist libraries and studied art and literature at evening classes. As a mature student at university she came upon the Anatomy Act while studying Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. This book is the result of a decade of further research. Ruth Richardson now works for the Institute of Historical Research, London.

Customer Reviews

Death Dissection and the Destitute
About time it was reprinted, the new edition includes an afterword bringing the much-feared world of the body snatcher in parallel with modern events. This edition is an invaluble tool providing the first step for researching local history and real-life gorey stories. It is also an invaluble academic resource, providing detailed accounts of the poorer members of society's fear of burial 'on the parish'. Indeed it colourfully incorporates this underclass often left out by other books concerned with the funerary industry of the recent past. Makes fascinating reading.

Bizarre and informative!
A fantastic informative collection of historical descriptions and references. Great introduction to some of the most bizarre and disturbing aspects of 19th century attitudes and responces to death.

Would highly recommend to all students of 19th century history and culture, and to anyone who fancies a slightly unusual read!

Fascinating and Readable
A great book for both general interest, and for students.
A wonderful source. Easily walks the reader through some of the history of anatomical discovery.
Split into sections: 'The Body', 'The Act', and 'The Aftermath'. This is what makes it so good for students; because it is easy to find which areas you are interested in, or are studying.