The End of Phrenology: From Burke and Hare to the Death of a Pseudoscience

A fascinating look at how the skulls of notorious murderers Burke and Hare were used to test and discredited the practice of phrenology
About this Event

Join us for this bite-sized lunchtime talk exploring the history of medicine and medical education.

Phrenology and the surprising skulls of Burke and Hare.

Join Surgeons’ Hall Museums Senior Research Fellow, Professor Ken Donaldson, for a fascinating exploration of phrenology, the once-popular, but now discredited belief that personality could be read from bumps on the skull. Discover how Edinburgh physician Dr Thomas Stone put these ideas to the test using the skulls of notorious murderers William Burke and William Hare, producing findings that caused a sensation.

Talks will last approximately 30 minutes and tea and coffee will be available for ticket holders.

Age Guidance: 16+

Important Refund Information: Please note that added to your ticket prices is a 96p booking charge which is non-refundable. This is part of Eventbrite terms and conditions and is not at the discretion of Surgeons' Hall Museums.

Content Warning: Our collections contain human remains as well as representations of anatomy, injury, and disease that some may find upsetting.