Laura Foster, a correspondent for BBC News in Suffolk, reported an intriguing find at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds. A book bound in the skin of notorious murderer William Corder, convicted of the Red Barn Murder in 1827, was discovered in the museum’s office. This macabre artifact has raised questions about its historical significance and ethical implications.
Dan Clarke, the heritage officer at Moyse’s Hall Museum, emphasized the importance of the skin-bound books from a historical perspective. While some view them as morbid relics, Clarke defended their presence in the museum. On the other hand, Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories, expressed his disgust at the books, calling them “sickening artefacts” and expressing a desire to see them destroyed.
The murder of Maria Marten by William Corder in 1827 shocked the residents of Polstead, Suffolk, and became a sensational story in Georgian Britain. The subsequent trial and execution of Corder, whose body was used to bind a book detailing his crimes, added to the grim tale. The display of such artifacts raises questions about how we view and interact with historical objects connected to gruesome events.
While Harvard University recently removed a 19th Century book with a skin binding from its library for ethical reasons, Moyse’s Hall Museum has decided to keep both books on display. Heritage assistant Abbie Smith, who handled the books, noted that they felt like any other book and were surprisingly unassuming. The debate over the display of such artifacts continues, with different perspectives on how to handle pieces of history that challenge our sensibilities
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