Harvard University recently announced that it removed a book called Des destinées de l’âme from its library due to its human skin binding. Published in the 1880s by French author Arsène Houssaye, the book was bound with the skin of a deceased woman without her consent by Dr. Ludovic Bouland, who worked at the hospital where she died. Harvard is currently researching more information about the patient and Bouland in order to give a “respectful disposition” to the remains and restore dignity to the woman involved.
Harvard Library had possessed the book since 1934, a year after Bouland’s death, and had made it available to anyone who requested it. The library acknowledged that its stewardship practices did not meet its own ethical standards and that it had used the book as a novelty in the past. The library also admitted that the book had been the subject of a morbid and sensationalistic tone in a 2014 blog post, which fueled international media coverage. Harvard Library apologized for its past failures in handling the book and acknowledged that they had further objectified and compromised the dignity of the person whose remains were used in the binding.
The practice of binding books with human skin, known as anthropodermic bibliopegy, is rare but not unheard of. Most books with human skin covers date back to the 19th century. Harvard University did not respond to requests for comment on this matter. It is important to note that the identity of the woman whose skin was used to bind the book and the year of her death remain unknown. Harvard is taking steps to do further research to honor the woman and properly handle the remains in a way that respects her dignity and restores her humanity.
In light of this discovery, Harvard University’s Library has admitted to past failures in its stewardship of the book and has pledged to rectify the situation by conducting further research to properly honor the woman involved and give her remains a respectful disposition. The library acknowledged that its handling of the book in the past was not in line with its ethical standards and expressed regret for objectifying and compromising the dignity of the person whose remains were used in the binding. This situation underscores the importance of ethical stewardship of historical artifacts and the need to treat such items with respect and sensitivity.
The removal of the book with human skin binding from Harvard University’s library raises important questions about the ethical handling of historical artifacts and the responsibility of institutions to properly care for and honor such items. The practice of anthropodermic bibliopegy, while rare, underscores the need for sensitivity and respect when dealing with human remains in any context. Harvard’s pledge to conduct further research and give a respectful disposition to the remains is a crucial step in acknowledging and rectifying the mishandling of the book and honoring the dignity of the woman involved. Moving forward, it is imperative that institutions uphold the highest ethical standards in preserving and caring for historical artifacts to ensure that the dignity and humanity of individuals are always respected.
In conclusion, Harvard University’s decision to remove the book with human skin binding from its library and conduct further research to honor the woman involved reflects a commitment to ethical stewardship of historical artifacts and a recognition of the need to treat such items with respect and sensitivity. The library’s acknowledgment of past failures in handling the book and its apology for objectifying and compromising the dignity of the person whose remains were used in the binding are important steps in rectifying the situation. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards when dealing with historical artifacts and human remains, and underscores the need to ensure that individuals are always treated with dignity and humanity, even in death.
