concept

Portraits of William Burke (1792-1829) and Helen McDougal (b. c. 1795), on trial in Edinburgh in 1828 for the West Port murders. Coloured etching, c. 1829.

William Burke (centre), Dr Alexander Monro III (top left), William Robertson (top right), Thomas Beveridge (lower left), Dr Robert Knox (lower right) Silhouettes, c. 1830.

Burdett, Peel, O'Connell and Wellington in the roles of the body-snatchers Burke and Hare, suffocating John Bull with a rope; representing the extinguishing by Wellington and Peel of the constitution of 1688 by Catholic Emancipation. Coloured etching by A. Sharpshooter, 1829.

Wellington and Peel, in the roles of the body-snatchers Burke and Hare, suffocating John Bull; representing the extinguishing by Wellington and Peel of the constitution of 1688 by Catholic Emancipation. Coloured etching, 1829.

Wellington and Peel in the roles of the body-snatchers Burke and Hare suffocating Mrs Docherty for sale to Dr. Knox; representing the extinguishing by Wellington and Peel of the Constitution of 1688 by Catholic Emancipation. Coloured etching by W. Heath, 1829.

Wellington and Peel in the roles of the body-snatchers Burke and Hare suffocating Mrs Docherty for sale to Dr. Knox; representing the extinguishing by Wellington and Peel of the Constitution of 1688 by Catholic Emancipation. Coloured etching after W. Heath, 1829.

The trial of Wm. Burke & Helen M'Dougal, on Wednesday, December 24, 1828 : in the High Court of Justiciary, before the Right Honourable Lord Chief Justice Clerk, and Lords Pitmilly, Meadowbank, and Mackenzie, on an indictment for the wilful murder of Mary Patterson, James Wilson and Madgy M'Gonegal ... in the Canongate and West Port, Edinburgh, for the purpose of sale to the medical faculty.

Burke & Hare / Alanna Knight.

Supplement to the trial of William Burke & Helen M'Dougal : containing the whole legal proceedings against William Hare, in order to bring him to trial for the murder of James Wilson, or Daft Jamie. With an appendix of curious and interesting information, regarding the late West-Port murders. Illustrated by a lithographic print of Mrs Hare and her child, as they appeared in the witness box / [William Burke].

Trial of William Burke and Helen M'Dougal : before the High Court of Justiciary, at Edinburgh, on Wednesday, December 24. 1828, for the murder of Margery Campbell, or Docherty / Taken in short hand by Mr John Macnee, writer. With an illustrative preface.

West Port murders, or an authentic account of the atrocious murders committed by Burke and his associates; containing a full account of all the extraordinary circumstances connected with them. Also, a report of the trial of Burke and M'Dougal. With a description of the execution of Burke, his confessions, and memoirs of his accomplices, including the proceedings against Hare, &c.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

We're experiencing some technical problems in the library today. 

If you’re visiting us, you won’t be able to print or use our PCs or laptops. If you want to sign-up for a free library membership, we’ll give you a temporary card for today and complete your membership next time you visit.

You can access items from the collection as usual and our team is on hand to help. Thank you for your patience while we resolve these issues. 

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

William Burke

Images from the collections

Images featuring William Burke

Works from the collections

Trial of William Burke and Helen M'Dougal : before the High Court of Justiciary, at Edinburgh, on Wednesday, December 24. 1828, for the murder of Margery Campbell, or Docherty / Taken in short hand by Mr John Macnee, writer. With an illustrative preface.

Frequent collaborators

William Burke

Images from the collections

Images featuring William Burke

Works from the collections

Trial of William Burke and Helen M'Dougal : before the High Court of Justiciary, at Edinburgh, on Wednesday, December 24. 1828, for the murder of Margery Campbell, or Docherty / Taken in short hand by Mr John Macnee, writer. With an illustrative preface.

Frequent collaborators

Related topics