Resurrection Men

Resurrection men, also known as body snatchers, were individuals in the 18th and early 19th centuries who illegally exhumed dead bodies from graves. Their primary aim was to supply cadavers for medical research and anatomical study, as legal sources were limited. These practices often caused controversy and led to laws restricting body disposal. Resurrection men typically targeted unclaimed or hastily buried corpses and operated covertly, sometimes risking legal penalties. Their activities highlight historical struggles between medical advancement and societal attitudes toward death and burial practices.