Horrible Histories - Robert Knox

This song is about a surgeon called Robert Knox He lived in Edinburgh in 1827. Below is some information on what William Hare and William Burke done. The crooks almost got away with it, but a few people prevented that.


In November 1827 William Hare began a new career when a friend of his, a lodger, died. He was paid seven pounds & ten shillings for delivering the body to Knox. Burke thought of a plan to make money, and made Hare his accomplice. Now Burke and Hare set about murdering tramps and drunks on a regular basis.

After 17 more transactions, in what became known as the West Port Murders, on 2 November 1828 Burke and Hare were caught. Burke was hanged, dissected and displayed; while Hare got let free.

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[azzaburch1234]

Simon Farnbey (burke)is in the film burke and here and simon pegg film

[Bayntonettxx]

@hoolago

Hey... You can't stop him from doing both at the same time ;) lol

[oohdear1397]

@nthgreen87 No problem :) It is a completely barking story - strange to think it actually happened :P

[nthgreen87]

@oohdear1397 aha! thanks for explanation :D

[CelticChrissy]

"Excellent news...MWAHHHAAA!!"

[wafaafarhat]

matt bayton the only guy that can make an old man HOT :P

[Bananabookworm]

ooh its a he!

[oohdear1397]

@nthgreen87 The first person was old and died of natural causes, but then they saw how much they could make and started killing. Then most of the murders were done by suffocation, often after getting the person drunk, and the first couple were already sick or elderly, which could have been seen as reason for death. Then one was a blind boy whose back they broke (they could have said that he fell or something).. I don't think they would have got away with it if there weren't other possibilities:)

[nthgreen87]

what bugs me is how Knox didn't notice that the bodies Burke and Hare gave him were people who were murdered. I mean, you'd think it's rather hard to make a body that was killed look like it dies of natural causes, and Knox did study them whole (so no way to hide e.g. a stab mark)... unless they had some superpoison that left no marks? *confused*

[Bananabookworm]

@cleavacarrot1 well yes since u just told everyone ur last name - not good

[Jazzy081557708]

@azzaburch1234 I'm recording that film but it's not on until Monday. Looks hilarious