Dr Robert Knox and his book on fishing in Scotland: A window into his mind

Abstract

Robert Knox was publicly vilified for his suspected complicity in the 16 murders committed by Burke and Hare, although he had no involvement in them. Along with several books on anatomy Knox also wrote a book on angling in Lowland Scotland. In ‘Fish and Fishing in the Lone Glens of Scotland’ Knox’s deep love for nature and for fishing emerges. Most interesting however is that although generally focussed on fish and fishing, the book abounds with asides on Knox’s other preoccupations and passions. These provide rare insights into the character of the great anatomist, whose personality has otherwise retained its opacity over the years. In the book, Knox writes in passing and in a relatively unguarded fashion, about such topics as transcendental anatomy, Scottish Independence, empiricism, race and Edinburgh medical figures. In so-doing, we contend that he affords the reader some insight into the mind of the real Dr Robert Knox.