WEIRD FACTS ABOUT
BENTHAM, Jeremy (1748-1832)
Philosopher and social reformer Jeremy Bentham kept a cat, which he named the Reverend Sir John Langbourne and fed on macaroni.
When the cat died, Bentham buried it in his garden. He donated his own body to science, inviting his friends to watch its dissection.
He also instructed that the skeleton be later reconstructed as an 'Auto-Icon' - a mixture of mummy and waxwork of himself - dressed in his own clothes, seated in his favourite chair, and holding his favourite walking stick, which he called 'Dapple'. He also suggested that, if his friends would like to meet for the purpose of paying respect to him, he would like his executor to arrange for his body to be wheeled in to join them.
His wishes were followed, though the model was made with a wax head rather than Bentham's own skull, which had deteriorated too badly. In 1850, the body was moved to University College, London, where it can still be seen.
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