18th September 1806, death from gigantism of Patrick Cotter O'Brien, first recorded person to stand at a height of eight feet, known as the ‘Bristol Giant’ and the ‘Irish Giant’, alongside fellow giant and performer Charles Byrne, who also claimed to be an O'Brien. Dying on this day, O'Brien stipulated in his will that his eight foot four inch casket was to be encased in lead, and buried in twelve feet of solid rock to prevent his remains being exhumed by body snatchers and sold for scientific investigation. His reasoning was due to the fate of fellow giant Charles Byrne who upon his death in 1783, had specified that his body be encased in a lead coffin and buried at sea to avoid the same fear. Byrne’s body however was snatched on its way to the coast, allegedly by body snatchers in the employment of famed anatomist John Hunter, who displayed Byrne’s skeleton at his anatomy theatre and museum in Great Windmill Street, Soho, London. Byrne’s skeleton remains on display at the Royal College of Surgeons in London despite public pressure to honour Byrne’s 200 year wish to be buried at sea. All art shown can be found on the website: www.ofgraveconcern.com/steampunkscienceandanatomy For more dark tales from history, and inspired art please follow @ofgrave.concern #regencyera #regencygothic #vintagegothic #darkillustration #historymystery #historymysteries #strangehistory #weirdhistory #macabrehistory #darkhistory #historicalstories #historicalstory #gothicliterature #darkillustration #illustrationartwork #historicalillustration #macabreillustration #gothichistory #gothicillustration #gothicbeauty #vintageaesthetic #steampunkstyle #anatomy #irishgiant #regencygothic #diedonthisday #bodysnatcher #bodysnatchers #historyofanatomy #anatomyart https://www.instagram.com/p/CT-RzFkFjl_/?utm_medium=tumblr











