Endocranial cast of William Burke

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This skull cast was taken from William Burke after his hanging in 1829. He was infamous for being part of a duo that committed 16 murders, then selling their corpses to Dr. Robert Knox for anatomy lectures. His accomplice Hare turned state's evidence and testified against him, leading to Burke's death sentence. After his execution, Burke's body was cut open, displayed, and studied extensively in phrenology. He is considered one of the most notorious criminals in Scotland's history, with replicas of his skeleton, organs, and death mask on display throughout the UK.