Harvard University Removes Human Skin Binding from Centuries-Old Book After 90 Years

Harvard University, renowned for its academic excellence, has taken a historic step by removing human skin from the binding of a book held in its library for over nine decades. The book in question, Des Destinées de l'Ame (Destinies of the Soul), a 19th-century meditation on life after death, came under scrutiny in 2014 when it was discovered to be bound in the skin of a deceased woman.

Acknowledging past failures in stewardship that compromised the dignity of the individual whose remains were used for the binding, Harvard announced the removal of the skin binding. The university emphasized its commitment to consult with French authorities to determine a respectful disposition of the human remains.

Despite the macabre fascination surrounding the book, Harvard underscored the seriousness of the matter, recognizing that its stewardship practices fell short of ethical standards. The university lamented its previous handling of the situation, citing sensationalistic and morbid tones in media coverage that detracted from the gravity of the issue.

Anthropodermic bibliopegy, the practice of binding books in human skin, was once not uncommon, as highlighted by Harvard in a blog post. The origin of the binding traced back to Ludovic Bouland, the book's initial owner, who obtained skin from a deceased mentally ill woman, deeming it fitting for a book about the human soul.

Harvard's decision to remove the human skin binding reflects its commitment to upholding ethical standards and respecting human dignity in its collections. This action underscores the university's dedication to responsible stewardship and serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical considerations in preserving historical artifacts.

In conclusion, Harvard University's decision to remove the human skin binding from the centuries-old book represents a significant moment in its commitment to ethical stewardship and respect for human dignity. By acknowledging past failures and taking decisive action to rectify them, Harvard reaffirms its dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity in its collections. This historic event serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of ethical considerations in preserving cultural artifacts and underscores the university's ongoing efforts to ensure responsible management of its invaluable resources.