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A Macabre Book Bound In Human Skin Reappeared After Two Centuries In A British Museum, Reigniting Debates About Sinister Practices Of The Past. The Re-discovery Involves William Corder, Killer Of The Famous Red Barn Case.
A chilling find surprised the staff at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Suffolk, England. A second book bound in human skin has been rediscovered after being forgotten on a shelf for decades.
It is believed that the skin used is that of the killer William Corder, the protagonist of one of the most famous crimes of the 19th century.
The Crime That Shocked The Country
The book is directly linked to the case known as the Red Barn Murder, which occurred in 1827.
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William Corder, a British farmer, lured his lover Maria Marten to a barn in the village of Polstead, with the promise of eloping to get married. However, upon arrival, she was murdered by him.
Maria’s disappearance was only resolved after her stepmother reported strange dreams about the crime scene.
This led authorities to the barn, where they found her body buried. Corder’s trial attracted crowds, and his execution in 1828 was witnessed by thousands of people.
A Book Made Of Human Skin
After his death, Corder’s body was dissected, and part of his skin was used to bind a book detailing the crime.
The work, titled An Authentic And Faithful History Of The Mysterious Murder Of Maria Marten, has been on display at Moyse’s Hall Museum since 1933. The object is considered one of the most macabre artifacts in British history.
Surprising Re-discovery
During a recent cataloging routine at the museum, a second book was found. It had been discreetly stored on an office shelf, outside of the official collection.
Unlike the first, this volume has human skin only on the spine and corners.
Even so, the visual similarity between the two objects suggests that both were produced with the skin of William Corder.
Dan Clarke, the museum’s heritage officer, stated that forgotten items can resurface from time to time.
According to him, “things like this happen sometimes,” referring to the misplacement of objects in old collections. The fact that the book remained untouched for so many years, among other volumes, only increases the impact of the re-discovery.
Shocking But Real Practice
Binding with human skin, known as anthropodermic bibliopegia, was a rare but documented practice in the 19th century. It primarily occurred with notorious criminals as a form of posthumous punishment or public display. The books were considered morbid trophies, a symbol of the punishment inflicted by the justice of the time.
Displaying both books side by side allows the public to closely observe this dark practice. Even though one is fully covered in skin and the other only partially, both carry the weight of a tragic and disturbing story.
Display Or Hide?
The presence of these books in the museum reignites a delicate discussion: is it ethical to display objects made from human remains?
For some critics, such as writer Terry Deary, the books are “repugnant artifacts” and should not be exhibited. However, the museum’s team defends the opposite. Clarke argues that the books help tell the harsh story of British criminal justice. He also highlights that other institutions, like Harvard, have opted to remove similar items, but the museum in Suffolk has kept the books on display for 92 years without receiving any complaints.
According to Clarke, “we see human remains in every museum in the country.” For him, the important thing is to confront the past, even when uncomfortable. The books are displayed alongside other historical items, such as an old gallows cage, and remain one of the most visited elements in the museum.
A Final Piece To The Historical Puzzle
The reappearance of the second book bound in the skin of William Corder represents more than a sinister object. It is an additional piece of a complex narrative that intertwines crime, punishment, culture, and memory.
The exhibition of both volumes side by side reinforces the impact of this episode in British history and offers the public a rare opportunity to reflect on the boundaries between justice, remembrance, and respect for the dead.
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