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The Resurrectionists: John Challis, Master of the Macabre

Floyd Richardson

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The Resurrectionists

by John Challis

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	436 KB
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Print length	:	65 pages

John Challis As A Resurrectionist In The BBC Drama Series The Resurrectionists The Resurrectionists John Challis

John Challis, the beloved actor best known for his iconic role as Boycie in the long-running British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses," had a fascinating and somewhat macabre secret life. As a collector of corpses for medical students in the 19th century, he played an essential role in the development of modern medical science.

In the gripping BBC drama series "The Resurrectionists," Challis brings to life the character of William Hare, a notorious body snatcher who supplied corpses to the Edinburgh medical school. The series delves into the dark and often gruesome world of body snatching during the early days of medical research.

The Resurrection Trade

During the 19th century, demand for corpses was high among medical students and researchers. However, the supply of available bodies from legitimate sources, such as those who died in hospitals or workhouses, was often insufficient. This led to the rise of a clandestine trade in corpses obtained through illegal means.

Resurrectionists, as they were known, would dig up recently buried bodies from graveyards and sell them to medical schools for dissection. The trade was lucrative and highly dangerous, as it involved trespassing on sacred ground and potentially facing criminal prosecution.

William Hare: The Resurrectionist

John Challis' character, William Hare, was one of the most notorious resurrectionists operating in Edinburgh during the 19th century. Together with his accomplice, William Burke, Hare murdered at least 16 people to supply cadavers to Robert Knox, a prominent anatomist at the Edinburgh medical school.

Hare and Burke lured their victims to Hare's boarding house, where they would murder them, often by suffocating them with pillows. They then sold the bodies to Knox, who would use them for dissection and research.

The Discovery

The resurrection trade came to light when neighbors reported strange noises coming from Hare's boarding house. The authorities raided the house and discovered several bodies hidden in barrels and under beds. Hare and Burke were arrested and charged with murder.

Burke was executed for his role in the murders, while Hare turned King's evidence, testifying against his former accomplice. Hare himself was spared the death penalty but later died in a workhouse, possibly murdered by fellow inmates seeking revenge for his role in the body snatching trade.

The Impact of The Resurrectionists

The case of Hare and Burke and their involvement in the resurrection trade shocked Victorian society. It led to public outcry and a subsequent tightening of laws against body snatching.

However, despite its macabre nature, the resurrection trade also played a significant role in the advancement of medical science. The bodies obtained by resurrectionists allowed medical students and researchers to gain a deeper understanding of human anatomy and develop surgical techniques that continue to be used today.

John Challis' Legacy

John Challis' portrayal of William Hare in "The Resurrectionists" pays homage to the complex and disturbing world of 19th-century grave robbing. It sheds light on a hidden chapter in medical history while also highlighting Challis' versatility as an actor.

Beyond his role in the series, Challis also wrote and performed in a play entitled "In Bed with the Resurrection Men," which further explored the dark and humorous aspects of the resurrection trade.

John Challis' involvement in "The Resurrectionists" is a testament to his ability to bring depth and nuance to even the most macabre of subjects. His portrayal of William Hare provides a glimpse into the dark history of body snatching and its impact on the development of medical science.

While the resurrection trade may be a thing of the past, John Challis' legacy as a master of the macabre ensures that the stories of these shadowy figures will continue to fascinate and horrify audiences for generations to come.

The Resurrectionists

by John Challis

4.6 out of 5