This book is made from the skin of a murderer behind one of England's most infamous crimes
One such strange piece from history has gained limelight in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, which is a book not made of some paper, but it is bound in the actual skin of
William Corder
, the man hanged in 1828 for the infamous
Red Barn Murder
, is now back on display at
Moyse's Hall Museum
.
Surprisingly, a long-forgotten second book was recently found on a shelf in the museum's office and these books tell about how justice, punishment, and memory were handled in 19th-century Britain.
William Corder was convicted of the murder of
Maria Marten
, a case that captivated public attention in 1827. After his execution in 1828, parts of his body were used for anatomical study, and his skin was tanned to bind books detailing his trial. One such book has been part of the museum's collection since the 1930s. The second book, believed to have been donated around 20 years ago, was recently found on a bookshelf in the museum's office, and shockingly, it was not kept in storage.
Dan Clarke, heritage officer at Moyse's Hall Museum, defended the display, saying that the books have "incredibly important" historical value and that he had never had a complaint about the first being on display. He emphasized that the museum does not treat these items as mere curiosities but as tools for historical reflection. "We see human remains in every museum across the country," Clarke noted. He further explained that the items are placed to help the discussion about the "Bloody Code," the harsh legal system of the time, and the practice of anatomizing executed criminals, as reported by the Guardian.
Some authors criticise this!
However, not everyone agrees with this approach. Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories, criticized the display as "sickening artefacts," likening them to a "freak show." He argued that Corder was "misunderstood" and convicted on circumstantial evidence, suggesting that the display forwards a disrespectful story. Deary, who portrayed Corder in a theatrical production, expressed his discomfort by stating, "These are two books I'd like to burn." Despite his objections, Deary is releasing a novel inspired by his portrayal of Corder next year, further contributing to the ongoing reexamination of the case.
What is this eerie practice of making books from skin?
The practice of binding books in human skin, known as
anthropodermic bibliopegy
, was not uncommon in the 19th century. Such books were often created as mementos by doctors or as a form of punishment for executed criminals. The discovery of the second book at Moyse's Hall Museum adds to the collection of artefacts related to the Red Barn Murder, including Corder's death mask and scalp, which have been subjects of public fascination and scholarly interest.
What is the Red Barn murder?
The Red Barn Murder is one of the most haunting true crime stories from 19th-century England. In 1827, William Corder lured his lover, Maria Marten, to the Red Barn in Suffolk under the promise of eloping. Instead, he murdered her and buried her body beneath the barn floor. Her remains were discovered nearly a year later after Maria's stepmother claimed to have visions revealing the crime. Corder was caught, tried, and publicly hanged. The case became a media sensation, inspiring books, plays, and songs and it still grips imaginations today with its eerie mix of love, betrayal, and justice.
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