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Burke and Hare (William and William)

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Murderer

The Resume

    William Burke (1792-1829)
    William Hare
    Both relocated to Edinburgh, Scotland
    Killed at least 16 people in 1827 and 1828
    William Burke (1792-1829, born in Tyrone, Ireland)
    William Hare (born in Ireland)

Why they might be annoying:

    They robbed graves and sold the bodies for medical research.
    Because grave-robbing was so unpleasant, they started murdering people instead.
    Their victims included old women and little girls.
    Hare ran a lodging house that was reportedly very untidy.
    He was given complete immunity after testifying against Burke.
    The unethical doctor who offered to buy the corpses in the first place (with 'no questions asked') was never prosecuted.

Why they might not be annoying:

    Six of Burke's seven children died.
    Burke was hanged for his crimes.
    At his execution, the people of Edinburgh acted like they were at a jamboree.
    Burke's body, appropriately enough, was used for medical research.
    A wallet was made out of his skin, and is displayed in a Scottish museum.

Credit: Wieland Kalligaro


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 90.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 10 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 10 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 25 Votes: 56.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 19 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 23 Votes: 60.87% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 82.35% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 8 Votes: 87.50% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 56 Votes: 67.86% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 56 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 36 Votes: 69.44% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 129 Votes: 77.52% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 150 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 336 Votes: 69.35% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 806 Votes: 69.60% Annoying