There's a horror to being buried alive or being dug up again to be dissected by anatomists that I think most people can identify with. I have memories of being a tween and being fascinated by the stories of bells being put above graves so the person buried there can ring it, "just in case". I did find the writing in this to be slightly over the top in certain sections but overall, this is an interesting little book.

Digging in the Dark: A History of the Yorkshire Resurrectionists by Ben W. Johnson is a fascinating set of historical facts about grave robbers and body snatchers in the Victorian era. Some stories are incredible, exceptionally well written and researched.
This book discusses some really terrifying aspects of history, but all are presented to the reader - sometimes thanks to the sense of humour - so engaging.
The book not only tells the stories of resurrection activities but places them in the wider historical context, in a constantly evolving society due to the industrial revolution, the complicity of the medical profession, also taking into account the legal and legislative side.
A really nice and interesting reading.

Recently I was looking at an iron mortsafe weighing about 1,000.00 kilos standing over a grave near the entrance to Colinton Parish Church on the outskirts of Edinburgh. This was placed there in the 1820s to protect newly buried bodies from the resurrectionists or bodysnatchers who made money by selling bodies to the Edinburgh medical school. Although I was aware of the resurrectionists in relation to Edinburgh I did not realise that their activities were also prevalent in other areas of the country. This intriguing and absorbing book by Ben Johnson centres on their activities in Yorkshire which reached its peak during the early decades of the 19th centuary.

This practice was condoned by many medical institutions who believed that it was vital to the advancement of medicine and surgery that the anatomical study of these bodies were needed.

The book not only has many stories of the resurrectionists activities but places it into the wider historical context of a changing society due the industrial revolution and the complicity of the medical profession towards them. It was interesting to learn of the comparative leniency shown by the courts when the resurrectionists were found guilty. Even Hare of Burke and Hare fame walked free. The story of the Anatomy Act of 1832 which authorised dissection on bodies from workhouses unclaimed after 48 hours and effectively put a stop to the need for body snatching is told in detail.

A really interesting read which points a spotlight on the underworld of our past society. I would recommend this to those who have both an interest in history and the macabre.

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley. Note the ARC did not have a source listing, I presume this is that the case for the print version.

Shortly after finishing this book, the now annual war between woodchucks and dogs started. To call it a war is wrong, it is more like Darwinism in action as in woodchucks that are so stupid to enter a fenced in yard that contains two dogs deserved what they get, especially when said woodchuck gets caught at the apex of three fences. This year, the new dog apparently believes that offering me a dead woodchuck as a tug toy is the way to go.
I suppose it is better than dismembered woodchuck over the yard.
It made me think of this book. True, the history detailed in Johnson’s book doesn’t involve dogs wanting to play tug with dead rodents, but it does involve the digging up of bodies, and as I have had to dispose of one.
My favorite story about grave robbers or Resurrection men is not included here, not surprising considering that the story takes place in Edinburgh and Johnson’s book details those of Yorkshire.
We are talking about grave robbers and body snatchers in case you didn’t know.
Johnson provides background before moving into full, detailed history of various resurrection men. This overview also includes those who met have cheated death, including a piper who could not be hung but who was buried anyway. That’s all I am going to say about that, and if you want to know about that story (and you should), read the book.
Johnson’s discussion includes the most famous Resurrection Burke and Hare, but the majority of the book is centered on Yorkshire and less known cases, including ones involving children’s bodies. The trials are discussed in details, including actual reporting and transcripts from the time. While at times, this can be a bit slow considering the style of whichever source he cites. Yet, what comes across quite clearly, is the fascination and interest that Johnson has for his subject matter. His interest in the subject more than compensates for various slow points in quoted material (and he gets credit for quoting the sources).
I do hope that Johnson delivers a talk about this subject in the US because I sense that he would be fun to listen too.