A CALL has been made to give the skeleton of a “Scottish hero” who organised the “Edinburgh mob” in the 18th century a proper burial.
Joseph Smith, otherwise known as “Bowed Joseph” or “General Bowed Joseph” was a cobbler who lived in the Cowgate in Edinburgh in the 1700s.
Smith died in 1780 and his bones are housed in the Anatomical Museum at the University of Edinburgh.
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According to the museum’s website, the Edinburgh mob, known as “the beast” found its leader in Smith, who was severely deformed by rickets but with his muscular arms became known for organising citizens.
“He was able to control the crowds whether it be to gather a crowd to do his bidding or dispersing a crowd after acting as a negotiator,” the museum website explains.
“He used to walk through the city banging a drum with his wife behind him and could easily raise a crowd of 10,000 persons ready to do his bidding.
“He always managed to obtain a hogshead of ale to appease his followers.”
Smith also led the Edinburgh “meal riots” in which food-dealers were compelled to sell food at a restricted price.
The museum is also home to the body of serial killers William Burke and William Hare as well as John Howison – known as the "Cramond murderer" – and George Buchanan, a scholar and tutor to James VI.
Now, Scottish historian and author Stuart McHardy, who described Smith as a “Scottish hero”, has called for the body to be removed from the museum and given a proper burial.
“I think one of the things that has begun to come out over the past 30 years or so is the importance of radical thinking in Scotland,” he told The National.
“Edinburgh was the focus of a lot of radical behaviour and, because of the nature of governance, the city council didn’t pay attention to the people.
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“The voice of the people was through rioting, the mob as they were called. They were famous throughout Europe because they could affect things.
“We’re not looking at anarchy or chaos, we’re looking at a functioning system that was outside the parameters of governance but was still effective and Joe is the guy that was the focus of it for quite a long time.”
McHardy added that he finds it “unacceptable” and “repulsive” that Smith is kept in the museum and is planning to take steps to call for him to be removed.
“I’ve started a petition calling to have a proper funeral for him because that’s a citizen of the town in there,” he added.
The historian also says discussions are ongoing about reviving the play Joe’s Drum by John McGrath – a piece of work he hopes could raise awareness of Smith’s story.
A description of the play reads: “Joe Smith, in our show, has been awakened from his grave by the thunderous apathy of the devolution vote, and the calamitous silence of the people of Scotland in general and of Edinburgh in particular.”
Smith himself died after falling from the top of a stagecoach when returning from Leith races “in an intoxicated state in 1780,” the Anatomical Museum explains.
A spokesperson for the University of Edinburgh said it “takes its duty of care to its collections very seriously”.
“We have teams of experts responsible for ensuring our historically significant archives are preserved, as well as being accessible for non-invasive research projects and outreach initiatives that help to enhance our understanding of the world,” they said.
The spokesperson added: “The remains of Joseph Smith have been in the university’s care for more than 240 years.
“All those exhibited in our Anatomical Museum are done so with the utmost sensitivity, and context around their importance, and what they can tell us about society, is provided.”
The museum is open to the public on a limited number of days each year with open days taking place throughout – click HERE for more information.
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