#william burke

[horriblehistorieslandfill]

BURKE & HARE , BODYSNATCHERS & MURDERERS

[fanofspooky]

Favorite horror movie characters 163/♾️

William Burke - Candyman (2021)

[hauntedheartssociety]

Case 9: Crime Poetry Broadside Ballads and the Origins of True Crime

I had said I wanted to do something with poetry but I never said it was going to be good poetry. On top of that I've been thinking a lot about the trash fiction of the 19th century (as much of it relates to crime drama, and realizing the "firsts" of literature usually aren't the first at all, but simply the first Good and Famous example).

Anyway, broadsides were a single sheet of news print meant to be produced quickly and sold very cheaply, containing the hot issues of the moment. Naturally this included many reports of horrible crimes, and as the goal was to sell copies, they were written with exciting language, adorned with illustrations of the crimes, and often even included a poem or ballad recounting the event, or, some fictitious "lament" of the prisoner meant to serve as a warning. Some of these ballads included the name of a tune that the story could be sung to. They were frequently sold at executions so the public could read the account of the condemned's crime.

The sensationalized format, horrid contents, and cheap nature of the broadsheet and their popularity appear to make them a forerunner to penny dreadfuls, tabloid reporting, and true crime literature, though the broadside itself fell out of fashion as full newspapers became cheaper to produce.

The poems selected here are mostly just portions of the full ballad on the broadside, and are from the National Library of Scotland's collection, though there are a number of available collections online through various libraries and universities. You might recognize the name of William Burke.

Sources:

The Invention of Murder by Judith Flanders (2011)

National Library of Scotland. Broadsides printed in Scotland 1650-1910. National Library of Scotland, 2020. https://doi.org/10.34812/a272-9961

[artblooger19moon]

Candyman Franchise

Candyman 1992 - Jan 5 2026

Candyman 2 Farewell to Flesh -

Candyman 3 Day of the Dead -

Candyman 2021 - January 5 2026

[italmostworked-seafoam]

has anyone else in this fandom noticed that the near-entirety of the 1827 flashback was ssso heavily inspired by the 1828 burke and hare murders, or was that just me ? it is literally my no. 1 favourite true crime case of all-time. this case lives in my head rent-free, which is probably why the 1827 flashback is one of my favourite eras from good omens. i don’t see this being talked about enough.

guys, i cannot make this shit up.

[thegreatlazule]

2 dudes robbing graves

5 feet apart cause theyre not gay

[lukaskyle-moved]

Colman Domingo as William Burke CANDYMAN (2021) dir. Nia DaCosta

[scotianostra]

On  Wednesday 28th January 1829, the notorious William Burke was hanged in Edinburgh.

He and his accomplice William Hare, who escaped the death penalty by turning King’s ­Evidence against Burke, were caught murdering people in the city and selling the cadavers to ­anatomist Robert Knox.

The hanging took place in Edinburgh at Libberton’s Wynd, this street ran from High Street/Lawnmarket down to Cowgate, roughly where the East pavement of George IV Bridge is now.

Below is the story The Scotsman ran about the execution

Pursuant to sentence passed in the High Court of Justiciary, Burke this morning suffered the last sentence of the law, at the common place of execution, head of Libberton’s Wynd.

From the hour in which he heard that his associate Hare was to be admitted an evidence against him, he abandoned all hopes of acquittal, and resigned himself to his awful fate. When consigned to the silence and solitude of his cell, he eagerly availed himself of the consolations of religion and sedulously ­prepared for the awful change he was soon to undergo. Sincerely anxious to hear of the premises of pardon and acceptance which the gospel holds out to the contrite and repentant sinner, on one occasion when a Catholic Priest and the Rev. Mr Marshall arrived at once at the jail, he exclaimed “admit them both”.

In a short time, however, he ­dispensed with the visits of Mr ­Marshall, and resolved to die ­professing the faith of his ­forefathers. Thought he talked ­freely over his murders at all time, he spent much of his time in reading such books as were left by his ­spiritual instructors, and in deep and serious meditation.

Heavily manacled as he was, and confined to the murderer’s diet – bread and water – he uniformly manifested an astonishing ­calmness and contentment. One gentleman, by whom he was visited, remarked that his cell was very cold, “Yes, yes,” he promptly replied, “but since matters have come to this, I must just bear it all.”

Though dreadfully afflicted by an excruciating disease and tormented by the approach of an ignominious death, he acted with deliberation; and talked with perfect coherence.

Shortly after eight o’clock, the procession set out for the place of execution. Bailies Crichton and Small, with a party of town officers, first ascended the scaffold and they were followed by Burke, supported by two Catholic Clergymen. He was dressed in decent black clothes, and was perfectly firm and ­composed. The moment he appeared the crowd set up an appalling shout, which continued for several ­minutes. The murderer and the Catholic clergymen knelt down and spent a few minutes in ­devotion. During the time a deep silence ­prevailed among the assemblage, but the devotions were ­succeeded by vehement cheering from every quarter, mingled with groans and hisses. When the cheers had subsided, the wretched man was assailed with every epithet of contempt and abhorrence.

As soon as the executioner ­proceeded to do his duty, the cries of “Burke him, Burke him, give him no rope,” and many others of a similar complexion, were vociferated in voices loud with indignation. Burke in the meantime, stood ­perfectly unmoved, and gazed around till the cap was drawn over his face, and shut the world forever from his view.

The executioner having completed his preparations and placed the signal in Burke’s hand, the magistrates ministers, and attendants left the scaffold. The crowd again set up another long and loud cheer, which was followed by cries for “Hare, Hare, where is Hare.” Burke lifted his hands and ejaculated a prayer of a few sentences then dropped the napkin and momently the drop fell.

The struggle was neither long nor apparently severe, but at every ­convulsive motion, a loud huzza arose from the multitude, which was several times repeated after the last agonies of humanity were past.