Cast of the skull of Robert Burns

This cast of Robert Burns skull was made on 31 March 1834.   His wife, Jean Armour Burns had died and was to be buried beside him in Burns' Mausoleum.  The mausoleum was opened and the cast made from the poet's remains.  The cast was made to satisfy a contemporary interest in the characteristics of the skulls of great men.  This was an aspect of the pseudo science of phrenology which attempted to explain difference in personality by the shape of the skull.  The phrenological examination was reported to have "laid stress on the circumference of the skull, 22 1/2 inches, and what must have been an extremely active brain".   Three casts were taken of his skull when the Mausoleum was opened up following the death of Jean Armour - more have been copied since.
Object no :
BCBN069n
Collection :
Creator :
James Fraser (of James Kerr Plasterers, Queensberry Street, Dumfries)
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
(overall) height 185mm, circumference 590mm
Materials :
plaster
Location :
NA
Accession number :
DUMFM:0198.129
Copyright :
Dumfries Burns Club
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