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Robert Knox

Scottish physician, anatomist, zoologist and ethnologist (1791-1862) · Doctors · Died at 71

Robert Knox was a Scottish anatomist and ethnologist best known for his involvement in the Burke and Hare murders. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Knox eventually partnered with anatomist and former teacher John Barclay and became a lecturer on anatomy in the city, where he introduced the theory of transcendental anatomy.

Robert Knox is read about 168 times a day, in 23 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 104 days, one point a day.

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Awards

Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Fellow of the Ethnological Society of London

About this person

However, Knox's incautious methods of obtaining cadavers for dissection before the passage of the Anatomy Act 1832 and disagreements with professional colleagues ruined his reputation in Scotland. Following these developments, he moved to London, though this did not revive his career.

Category
Doctors
Type
Doctor
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1791 to 1862 · aged 71