The Story of Jeremy Bentham
Added 2023-02-10 11:15:01 +0000 UTCDirect link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cRnS8EJ-Gz8
Bentham's auto-icon is topped with a wax replica of his head... which isn't quite what he wanted. His original instructions called from the mummification and use of his actual head.
To be fair to Dr Southwood Smith (the man charged with carrying out the mummification process), he did give it a really good try. But while he was able to preserve Bentham's head, it ended up looking decidedly grisly.
For some years the head was stored in the same case as the auto-icon... but it was removed after it was the subject of several student pranks, and is now locked away securely in a storeroom. You can even see a picture of it here, although be warned: it's not particularly pleasant viewing!
Comments
Thanks for this. What an excellent, clear, detailed article as well!
Fascinating Horror
2023-02-13 09:20:55 +0000 UTCI like that there are philosophers who "mummified in a glass case" is a more-or-less in-character move for
Fascinating Horror
2023-02-13 09:19:18 +0000 UTC
