Book Review: The Knife Man by Wendy Moore

Wendy Moore did an awesome job with this biography. In reading this book, this reviewer gained even more respect for Patrick O’Brian and his masterful depiction of his natural philosopher Maturin. One can see strains of Maturin in Moore’s depictions of the crazy, body-snatching, anatomists who are the heroes of this book. (In one of O’Brian’s books there is a passing reference to “the Hunters.”)

The Knife Man is a biography of John Hunter and a wonderful depiction of his era. His brother is also covered in some detail. Each chapter is named cleverly and tied into anatomy and events. The book is thoughtful and extremely well researched.

The chapter entitled The Giant’s Bones is at once poignant and hilarious. The giant in question was Charles Byrne, reputed to be 8′ 4″ in height (in reality he was 7′ 8″ tall), he was object of great interests to anatomists all over Europe, including and especially, John Hunter.

… the existence of extraordinarily tall men like Byrne continued to flummox the natural philosophers. Certainly, few of the fellows [of the Royal Society] could have failed to be curious about the youth towering over their heads, but none was more captivated than John Hunter. From the moment he set eyes upon Byrnes fabulous figure, he knew he had to posses his body.

Byrne was not a well man. His enormity was the result of a benign pituitary tumor. Hunter knew it was only a matter of time before he would die. Unfortunately, as his health declined, so did Byrnes fortunes. He could no longer draw the crowds to freak shows as he used to and was forced to move into progressively more meager lodgings. Eventually, he turned to drink in an effort to relieve the headaches and joint pain he likely was suffering.

Byrne knew his days were numbered. But death itself was no longer his greatest fear. The Irish giant’s worst dread was the anatomists, and especially the best known anatomist of them all, John Hunter.

…

Fully cognizant of Hunter’s quest, and knowing he was being stalked day and night by Hunter’s accomplice, Byrne sought desperately for a way to outwit the anatomist.

 

Although the poor man made elaborate plans to outwit Hunter, making his friends promise to place him in a lead coffin and drop it in the English channel, money talks.

On June 5, [1783] in accordance with Byrnes wishes, they [Byrne’s friends] shouldered their heavy burden and transported their load to Margate, where they chartered a boat and tipped the great coffin into the sea. But whatever it was the grieving comrades consigned to the deep, it was not the body of the Irish giant.

According to the Annual Reporter Chronicle:

The giant expressed an earnest desire that his ponderous remains might be sunk out at sea.; but if such were his wish, it was never fulfilled, as Mr. Hunter obtained his body before the interment of any kind had taken place.

John Hunter was a man far in advance of his time who fought against superstition and stubborn resistance to scientific discovery. By necessity, he resorted to devious methods to obtain cadavers for his anatomical research. He had a huge impact on countless students of medicine, including Joseph Lister and others.

Hunter did not limit himself to human anatomy, but also made significant advances in the veterinary science, geology, and botany.

His energy and intellect was phenomenal. The guy was amazing.

So was this book!