The Most Famous Grave Robber, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the grave robber you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 3, 2024 07:07
Throughout history, tales of grave robbers have captivated and appalled us, weaving their way through folklore and history books alike. These characters challenge our moral judgments yet offer compelling studies of human ambition and cultural beliefs. A ranking of the most notorious grave robbers not only illuminates diverse historical epochs but also mirrors the ever-shifting boundaries of ethical behavior.
By voting for the grave robber you find the most fascinating, you contribute to a dynamic evaluation of these contentious figures. Each vote helps sketch a clearer picture of societal attitudes towards such acts and their place in both historical and current contexts. Together, we can establish which of these stories have the most powerful hold on our collective imagination.
Who Is the Most Famous Grave Robber?
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164votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainThese notorious grave robbers from the 19th century are infamous for murdering people and selling their bodies to medical schools for research. They were eventually caught and executed for their crimes. -
218votes
Ed Gein
Edward Theodore GeinThis American serial killer from the 1950s was also known for his grave robbing activities. He would exhume bodies from local cemeteries and use their skin and body parts to make furniture and clothing.Ed Gein was an infamous American serial killer who gained notoriety for his gruesome crimes and twisted behavior. He was born on August 27, 1906, in Plainfield, Wisconsin, and became one of America's most disturbing murderers. Gein's crimes inspired numerous books, movies, and characters in pop culture, making him a macabre legend in the true crime genre.- Birthdate: August 27, 1906
- Birthplace: Plainfield, Wisconsin, United States
- Occupation: Handyman, farmer
- Murder Count: 2 confirmed, suspected in more cases
- Modus Operandi: Grave robbing, murder, and mutilation
Ed Gein in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous serial killer in Wisconsin
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous killer in Wisconsin
- Position 4 of 10 in Most intriguing serial killer
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular serial killer in America
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326votesOne half of the infamous Burke and Hare duo, Burke was known for his grave robbing and murder activities in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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412votesThis Englishman from the 18th century was a well-known grave robber who sold bodies to medical schools. He was eventually caught and executed for his crimes.
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517votesThis German-born radiology technician from the 20th century became obsessed with a patient he treated and eventually stole her body from the cemetery to keep in his home.
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613votesAnother member of the Burke and Hare duo, Bishop was also known for his grave robbing and murder activities in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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719votesThis 18th century Irishman was known as the "Irish Giant" and when he died, his body was stolen by a group of doctors who wanted to study his anatomy.
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82votesThis Englishman was wrongly convicted and executed for the murder of his wife and child, but it was later discovered that his landlord, John Christie, was the real killer and had buried the bodies in his garden.
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97votesThe landlord and killer of Timothy Evans' wife and child, Christie was also known for his grave robbing activities.
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107votesThis American dentist was involved in a multi-million dollar scheme where he would steal body parts from funeral homes and sell them to medical companies for transplants.
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous grave robber. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or grave robber is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2652 views
- 182 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each grave robber once every 24 hours. The rank of each grave robber is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous grave robber
Grave robbing has been a notorious and illegal practice for centuries, with countless individuals seeking to profit from the treasures buried with the deceased. One of the most infamous grave robbers of all time is likely Giovanni Belzoni, an Italian explorer who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Belzoni was known for his incredible strength and size, which allowed him to move massive stone monuments and open tombs singlehandedly. He was also a skilled engineer and inventor, creating tools and machines specifically designed for excavating burial sites. Belzoni's exploits took him all over the world, but he is perhaps best known for his work in Egypt, where he uncovered and plundered the tombs of many pharaohs, including Seti I and Ramesses II. Though his actions were illegal and caused significant damage to many ancient sites, Belzoni's discoveries helped to shape our understanding of ancient Egyptian culture and history.
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