More than just a little macabre

[imported_GregW]

Now this is just too weird. Human Skin bound books (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Human-Leather.html)

Talk about changing values over the years.

[ssor]

Some of the stories that have been told of the practices in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany are quite enlighten in this regard.

[TomF]

Macabre, but this has nothing on Jeremy Bentham. The 18th Century philosopher specified in his will that his body should be preserved, brought out on special University occasions. And so it is ...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a6/Jbentham.600px.jpg/230px-Jbentham.600px.jpg

[Popeye]

the bilge could use a good man like Jeremy

[uncas]

So could the Senate...or even Congress...Seen and not heard...now where have I heard that before.... :D

[TomF]

He apparently usually attends said functions sporting a wax head, as the original didn't preserve too well. Don't think that should disqualify him from participating in the Bilge's political discussions though.

[ssor]

Originally posted by TomF:
He apparently usually attends said functions sporting a wax head, as the original didn't preserve too well. Don't think that should disqualify him from participating in the Bilge's political discussions though.Shouldn't even disqualify him for congress. :D

[uncas]

Cromwell's head is missing a body...We could dig it up...It's somewhere on the grounds of Cambridge...or is it Oxford....If nothing else...it has withstood the ravages of time fairly well.

[ 01-10-2006, 02:33 PM: Message edited by: uncas ]

[TomF]

I can think of a few University profs of my acquaintance who give a fair imitation...

[uncas]

I think I know them too...Did they teach at the Un. of Maine.....?

[TomF]

Nope ... seems academia is simply thick with wannabees.

[uncas]

TomF...or has beens

[TomF]

Wikipedia helpfully notes that while the wax head has always been on the (dead) Jeremy, the original used to be displayed separately, in the same case.

Students frequently stole it for pranks (can you imagine? ;) ), so now it's stored somewhere else in the bowels of the University.

[uncas]

God...someone is looking up at the bilge....Who woulda thunk there was a thread below misc. nonboat related...?

[TomF]

Dunno, I think it's a fitting discussion ... beneath the bilge is Davey Jones'! ;)

[uncas]

Don't think I could hold my breath that long....My God...that's gonna be a deep hole...

[ 01-10-2006, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: uncas ]

[Katherine]

I don't think these books will ever make the Best Seller list.

[carioca1232001]

TomF wrote:


Students frequently stole it for pranks (can you imagine? ), so now it's stored somewhere else in the bowels of the University. At least not in my day, which was in the mid-60´s/early 70´s ! It was - and still is, at least as of year 2000 - located in the central part of the University College London central foyer facing Gower Street, close by to the entrance of the Main Library.

Jeremy Bentham was the man who founded the University of London by raising money in the private sector, in order that Catholics and Jews could be awarded diplomas for their efforts, something that was denied them by the Oxbridge establishment.

Also that the bustling city of London could be home to an university, similar to the major European cities of Paris and Berlin, whose universities had attained excellence by then.

[Bruce Hooke]

I remember going to a place in Lucas, Kansas where an eccentric fellow named S.P.Dinsmore had filled his yard with various concrete "art" that he made himeself over the years. In his will he specified that his body be preserved and displayed, but that anyone who wanted to see his corpse had to pay for the privilige. So, he is in a glass-topped casket in this structure and admission to the grounds of the Garden also gets you the privilage of saying hello to old Mr. Dinsmore...

http://www.garden-of-eden-lucas-kansas.com/portfolioimages/mausoleum.jpg

More information on the "Garden of Eden" can be found here: http://www.garden-of-eden-lucas-kansas.com/

[skuthorp]

Hmmm, a few years ago there was a Peer that left his body to the Battersea Dogs Home, dont know if they took up the offer
:eek: