Robert Burns' skull
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In 1834, Robert Burns' skull was exhumed and multiple casts were made from the head of Scotland's national bard.
In the early 19th century, phrenology, a pseudo-science involving the measuring of skulls to predict an individual's personality was widely believed. As a national figure and well known for his works and public persona, Burns' skull was of great interest to phrenologists at the time.[1]
Burns died 21 July 1796 and was buried in St. Michael's Churchyard in Dumfries. A mausoleum in the same cemetery was erected 19 years after his death and his body was relocated to the new tomb.[2]
John McDiarmid, editor of the Dumfries Courier, reported on the removal of Burns from his original resting place though he arrived two years after the event.[1] McDiarmid had an interest in phrenology and wished to make an examination of the Burns' skull.
