Book bound in human skin found in museum office

A remarkable discovery has been made at the Moyse's Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. A book bound in human skin, believed to be made from the skin of the notorious 19th-century murderer William Corder, is set to go on display. This book, along with another similar item, will be showcased for the public to see. The book is brown and has some damage to its spine, making it a unique and eerie artifact. Dan Clarke, the heritage officer at the museum, emphasized the historical significance of these books, stating that he has never received any complaints regarding the first book that has been on display for 92 years. However, Terry Deary, a well-known author of the Horrible Histories series, expressed his disgust at the idea of books made from human skin, saying, 'These are two books I'd like to burn. ' The first book, which has been displayed for nearly a century, is in better condition than the recently discovered second book. The second book was found not in the museum's storage but rather on a shelf in the office, alongside other books made from traditional materials. Mr. Clarke explained that sometimes museums lose track of items, especially those that have not been seen for many years. This second book was one of those items that had been overlooked but has now been rediscovered. Unlike the first book, the skin on this second book is only present on the binding and corners. In the 19th century, it was not uncommon for books to be created from the skin of executed criminals or by doctors who wanted to keep a piece of history. Terry Deary pointed out that Corder was convicted based on circumstantial evidence and suffered greatly as a result. He believes that using human skin for books is morally wrong, stating, 'What was worse than the hanging was the thought that their body would be dissected after death, and this is an extension of that. ' In March 2024, a library decided to remove a book made from human skin due to its ethically troubling origins. However, the staff at Moyse's Hall Museum have stated that they will not be removing either of their books from display. Mr. Clarke noted that human remains can be found in many museums across the country. In his 11 years at the museum, he has not received any complaints about the first book, although there have been concerns raised about other exhibits, such as mummified cats. Abbie Smith, a heritage assistant, had the opportunity to hold the books on her first day at work. She remarked that they felt like real books and that if no one informed you of their unusual binding, you might not even realize it. She also expressed that it is quite humbling to have such unique items in the museum's collection, which adds to the rich history that the museum represents.