Swansea's Dark Side Explored

July 27, 2009 - PRLog -- A forgotten face of one of Scotland's most notorious murderers has surfaced in Swansea Museum.

Serial killers William Burke and William Hare sold the bodies of around 16 of their victims to an Edinburgh doctor for research.

But with little concrete evidence against them Hare was offered immunity if he turned evidence against his accomplice Burke.

Consequently Burke was publicly hanged and in 1829 Hare was released.

Now a cast of his head features in an exhibition at Swansea Museum on crime and punishment.

The cast was made of Burke's head after he was hanged and a life mask was made of Hare during the trial

It is part of the museum's 'phrenology' collection. Fashionable in the 19th century, phrenology was an idea that tried to link the shape of the skull with character qualities.

"He looks horrible, but it's difficult to tell because the mask is white and has no hair." said Roger Gale, Swansea Museum's exhibitions and events officer.

The tale of how the cast made its way to Swansea is probably found with the fact that the museum, originally known as the Royal Institution of South Wales, is the oldest in Wales and had many collectors.

"The members collected anything and everything, including heads of notorious figures," continued Roger Gale.

However the exhibition details not just the crimes of notorious individuals like Hare, but punishment handed out to protestors like those transported to Australia for their eventual role in the Rebecca Riots.

Unsettling images of women prisoners stare out from the walls of this Victorian building.

Many of these 'unfortunates' turned to crime in order to survive, then unable to pay their fines they took their seven days in jail.

Harriet Griffiths committed several crimes including stealing a lamb, and assault.

She was sentenced to jail many times, and also sentenced to hard labour. She died aged 40 in the workhouse.

Elizabeth O'Brien was sent to prison at the tender age of twelve for stealing eggs. Like Harriet Griffiths, she also died in the workhouse 13 years after her conviction.

In the midst of the forbidding objects on display are full-size stocks, a scold's bridle and a scaffold.

There are also stories of those who were sentenced to the hangman's rope, some carried out by Albert Pierrepoint in Swansea.

Roger Gale said that the executioner would try to keep a low profile, often residing in a local pub or inn, until his task in Swansea was over.

Crime and Punishment is on show at Swansea Museum on Victoria Road, Swansea SA1 1SN. For more information on Swansea Museum visit http://www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseamuseum or telephone 01792 653763.

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