Happy Almost Halloween!
John Wilkes Booth’s Neck Bones
A mere 12 days after shooting President Abraham Lincoln, Booth was shot in the back of the neck and killed. His body was eventually buried in an unmarked grave at Baltimore’s Green Mount Cemetery. Howeever, his third, fourth, and fifth vertebrae were all removed during the autopsy in order to grant access to the bullet. They can now bee seen at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, D.C.
Einstein’s Brain
Before his death, Einstein considered donating his body to science but as he never committed this wish to writing, his family and friends made plans to cremate him following his death in 1955. The pathologist who performed the autopsy, Dr. Thomas Harvey chose on his own to first remove the famous brain and then tell the family about it later. Naturally, Einstein’s loved ones weren’t thrilled when they found out, but they eventually for scientific study ton continue and the brain was sliced into 240 sections then disbursed to researchers. Today, many of the cerebral sections remain in scientific institutions, with the bulk held at Princeton Hospital. Einstein’s body was cremated as planned and his ashes were scattered in a secret location.
"Stonewall" Jackson’s Arm
Confederate general Thomas Jackson earned his nickname for the way he sat his horse; "like a stone wall" even when bullets were flying during the Civil War. That might be the reason why, during the Battle of Chancellorsville, Jackson was accidentally shot in the arm by one of his own men. The arm was amputated and then buried in the nearby Virginia town of Ellwood. Only eight days later, Stonewall died of pneumonia and the rest of him was buried in Lexington, Va.
Saint Francis Xavier’s Hand
Francis Xavier was a Spanish missionary who was sent to Asia in the 16th century by the king of Portugal. There he became wildly popular, and after his death in 1552, so did his relics. So much so that his body was regularly exhumed in order to obtain more. Today, half his left hand is in Cochin, India, while the other half is in Malacca, Malaysia. One of his arms resides in Rome, and various other cities lay claim to his internal organs.
Saint Catherine of Siena’s Finger
After this holy woman died in 1380, her body became an object of veneration. Pilgrims believed touching her miraculously preserved flesh could heal illnesses and bring them closer to God. Eventually, the Catholic Church laid Catherine to rest but not before one of her followers removed a finger as well as a few teeth and other various body parts. Pope Urban VI took her head. Today, both finger and head are on display at San Domenico Church in Siena, Italy. The rest of her rest beneath the main altar at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church in Rome.
Oliver Cromwell’s Head
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader best known for his involvement in making England into a republican Commonwealth. Cromwell died in 1658, but two years later, the reinstated English monarchy exhumed, tried, and hanged his body, then dumped it in an unmarked grave. In addition, as a warning to would-be killers, his head was placed on a pike in Westminster Hall, where it remained for 20 years.
Thomas Hardy’s Heart
In his will, English novelist Thomas Hardy specifically requested to be buried with his beloved first wife. His friends, however, lobbied to have him buried in Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey instead. An ugly fight between Hardy fans and family ensued, until they reached a compromise. The author’s heart was removed and buried with his wife; his ashes were preserved in a bronze urn inside the Abbey.
For more famous body parts visit Neatorama. Information Originally from MentalFloss.
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