20 Notable Figures Whose Body Parts Are Preserved for Public View
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Have you ever walked through a museum and felt like pieces of history were staring back at you? Maybe because, in some cases, they are.
Traveling through the halls of history and into the realm of the slightly macabre, we find that some notable figures have left more than just legacies—they’ve left their body parts! Ready for a tour that’s part Sherlock mystery and part ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not?’ Buckle up!
Einstein’s Brain
Arguably the most famous brain in history, Albert Einstein’s grey matter was removed and preserved for scientific study after he died in 1955.
Today, it still holds a place of honor at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, where visitors can marvel at its genius.
Galileo’s Middle Finger
Yes, you read that right. The infamous astronomer’s middle finger was severed from his body during an exhumation and is now on display at the Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy. Talk about a literal “screw you” to anyone who doubted his theories.
Charles Babbage’s Brain
Charles Babbage, often called the “Father of Computers,” generously bequeathed half of his brain to the Royal College of Surgeons in London, England, for scientific study. The other half is displayed in the Science Museum in London.
Vladimir Lenin’s Body
The embalmed body of Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin has been on public display at the Lenin Mausoleum in Red Square, Moscow since he died in 1924.
Despite efforts to maintain his appearance, his nose and ears have slowly decayed, leading to several cosmetic surgeries over the years.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s Male Member
The Napoleon Complex theory gains credibility when considering the late dictator’s less-than-two-inch member, now Evan Lattimer, owns.
She inherited it from her urologist father, who acquired it at an auction 156 years after Napoleon died in 1821 for $3,000. It’s unavailable for public viewing, but enthusiasts can visit his tomb in the crypt beneath Les Invalides in Paris, France.
Gautama Buddha’s Tooth
While the rest of his body was cremated, one of Gautama Buddha’s teeth was said to have been saved by his disciple Khema and later smuggled into Sri Lanka.
It has been moved several times before finally finding a home at the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
James A. Garfield’s Spine
After the assassination of U.S. President James A. Garfield in 1881, part of his spine was removed during autopsy.
It is currently displayed at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Ho Chi Minh’s Body
The embalmed and on-again-off-again public display of Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh’s body has been a source of controversy since he died in 1969. It rests at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam.
John Wilkes Booth’s Vertebrae
The vertebrae of Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth, were removed and preserved after he died in 1865.
They are now owned by the National Museum of Health and Medicine but unavailable for public viewing.
Charles J. Guiteau’s Brain
Another U.S. presidential assassin, Charles J. Guiteau, had his brain removed and preserved after his execution in 1882. It is currently on display at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia.
St. Bernadette Soubirous’s Body
After being exhumed three times and found to be incorrupt, St. Bernadette Soubirous’s body is on display at Nevers in France. Her skin remains fresh and soft despite being underground for over a century.
Kim Il-sung’s Body
The embalmed body of North Korean leader Kim Il-sung has been on public display since he died in 1994.
It is housed at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, North Korea, and visitors must bow before it as a sign of respect.
Mao Zedong’s Body
The embalmed body of Chinese leader Mao Zedong has been on public display since he died in 1976.
It is housed at the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, and visitors must walk past it in silence.
Abraham Lincoln’s Skull Fragments And Hair
After being assassinated in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln’s skull fragments and hair were removed during autopsy and are now on display at the National Museum of Health and Medicine.
Thomas Edison’s Last Breath
As one of the greatest inventors in history, Thomas Edison’s last breath was captured in a test tube by his son and is now on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
Grover Cleveland’s Tumor
The tumor removed from U.S. President Grover Cleveland’s mouth during surgery in 1893 is now preserved and displayed at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia.
Grigori Rasputin’s Male Member
After his infamous death in 1916, Rasputin’s male member was reportedly preserved and put on display at the Russian Museum of Erotica in St. Petersburg.
Jeremy Bentham’s Head
Philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s mummified noodle used to attend board meetings at UCL. However, now it’s a replica on public view, with the real deal tucked away for preservation.
Dan Sickles’s Leg
A Civil War general’s leg walks into a bar—except it doesn’t—because it’s on display in the National Museum of Health and Medicine.
Dan Sickles donated his amputated leg after the Battle of Gettysburg—talk about detachment issues.
St. Anthony’s Tongue
Following his death in 1231, the saint was exhumed in 1263. His tongue and jawbone were removed and enshrined at the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua.
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