Charles White: How the Royal Infirmary’s founder became the guardian of The Manchester Mummy
On 20 February 1785, Charles White passed away. He is best-known as the co-founder of Manchester Royal Infirmary. But he was also the guardian of the legendary Manchester Mummy.
The physician has gone down in history as one of the most important medical figures in Manchester, co-founding the Royal Infirmary and being appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his work.
He published influential papers and was well regarded by his peers. Yet, for all his great achievements in medicine, White’s legacy has also been defined by the fact he kept a mummified body in a clock case.
The body in questioned belonged to one of his former patients, Hannah Beswick, and remained in White’s home in Sale for more than half a century.
Unsettling, for sure. But the story is not quite as sinister as it seems.
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Firstly, it’s worth noting that this was what Beswick wanted.
The wealthy woman had been at her brother John’s funeral some years prior, with White in attendance as the physician, when something remarkable happened.
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Just as John was about to be put underground, someone noticed his eyelids fluttering.
He was still breathing.
It turned out that Beswick’s sibling was just in a coma, and had been mere seconds away from being buried alive.
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John went on to make a full recovery and live for ‘many more years’. But the experience had shaken Ms Beswick to her core.
She made her doctor promise that, when the time came, her body would not be immediately buried.
Beswick urged White to conduct regular checks for signs of life until he was absolutely certain she had passed away, and only then should her body be placed below ground.
When Beswick passed away in 1758, White embalmed her body instead of burying it.
Initially, Beswick’s body was stored in Ancoats Hall, which was owned by a member of her family. But eventually she was moved to White’s house – where he put her inside a grandfather clock.
In his blog, author David Castleton suggests White may have revelled in his newfound celebrity status as the guardian of the body, stating: “White entertained [guests] by whipping back a curtain that covered where the clock’s face would have been – to reveal the embalmed face of Hannah.”
Writer Jan Bondeson claims, however, that White would only open the clock face once a year “to see how his favourite patient was doing.”
White died in 1813, and several years later Beswick’s body was put on display at The Museum of the Manchester Natural History on Peter Street: Becoming known as ‘The Manchester Mummy’.
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Despite her relative youth compared to other artefacts in the venue, Beswick was nonetheless the star attraction at the front entrance.
Visitors flocked from all over town to catch a glimpse of the corpse – which remained in the museum for nearly forty years.
By 1867, it was finally agreed that Beswick was not coming back.
The body was finally buried in an unmarked grave in Harpurhey Cemetry in 1868 – over 110 years after Beswick’s death.
Feature
Gaping Gill – the record-breaking waterfall you can only see twice a year
Daisy Jackson
There are a lot of incredible waterfalls in the UK – but did you know that the highest unbroken waterfall in England is right here in the north?
Gaping Gill is a record-breaking spot in the Yorkshire Dales, about an hour and a half from Greater Manchester.
Despite the Fell Beck waterfall being a massive 110-metres tall, it’s actually pretty difficult to see.
Unusually, the waterfall is underground in a huge cave system – and even more unusually, it’s only accessible to the public twice a year.
Those lucky enough to visit are lowered down into the massive chamber on a winch by a local pothole club.
It’s not for the faint-hearted, or much fun for people who are scared of heights, but once your feet are on the solid ground at the bottom of the cave you’ll be in one of the most awe-inspiring settings in the country.
The Gaping Gill cave chamber is 129m long, 31m high, and 25m wide – so large you can fit an entire cathedral inside it.
Its cave system is connected to the famous Ingleborough Cave.
The first person to make it all the way inside was Frenchman Edouard Martel in 1895, who used a rope ladder to climb down and kept in touch with those on the surface using a telephone.
The Craven Pothole Club helps people to visit every August and the Bradford Pothole Club every May.
The rest of the time, all you can see from above ground is the cave’s opening on the slopes of Ingleborough.
Local photographer Tatiana Hepplewhite said after her visit: “Twice a year, England’s highest unbroken waterfall is open to the public.
“The catch? The waterfall, named aptly Gaping Gill, actually falls into the ground.
“Very helpful Bradford and Craven pothole clubs put a winch and take lucky members of the public, such as myself, all 100 meters down. How was it? In one word – awesome!”
The next trip down into the chasm will between the 25 May and 31 May for £20 per person.
The northern village, caves, and medieval street named among the most beautiful places in the UK
Daisy Jackson
The most beautiful places in the UK have been named, with several spots up north elbowing their way onto the list.
From mystical caves in the Lake District to the Mediterranean-style architecture in… Wales… there are so many stunning places to explore on our doorstep.
Time Out’s list of the 15 most beautiful places in the UK, compiled by travel writers, has picked out ‘pinch-me’ destinations across the nation.
Several of the places chosen are within a couple of hours’ drive of Manchester, too, so you really don’t have far to go to seek out the very best of the British isles.
One spot that was well-deserving of a mention is Portmeirion, a popular village in North Wales that’s famous for its colourful architecture.
The village is the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was inspired by the Mediterranean, which is plain to see in the colourful buildings and palm trees jutting out from an otherwise very British scene,
The tourist hotspot completed in 1975 and Time Out says it’s ‘like something out of a dream’.
The guide said: “This unique tourist village has established itself as the most romantic spot in north Wales.
“Of course, it certainly helps if it comes with Italianate architecture, colourful facades and an unforgettable sense of romance. How could you not fall for Portmeirion?”
Another spot in the north of England that has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK is Rydal Caves, tucked in the heart of the Lake District.
Now us Mancs know that nowhere in the country can compare to the majestic scenes right across the national park, but there is something really special about the dramatic cave system.
Located right between Grasmere and Ambleside, they’re accessible in just a 15 minute walk from the nearest car park.
Rydal Caves in the Lake District made Time Out’s list of the Most Beautiful Places. Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios
You can leap across stepping stones all the way to the back of the cave, then look back out at the surrounding woodland through the cave’s huge entrance.
This spot was chosen by Netflix for scenes of the second season of The Witcher – told you it was magical.
Over in Yorkshire (and it’s a surprise to no one to see this on the list), is The Shambles in York.
The well-preserved medieval street features ramshackle buildings, cobbled street, and quaint little shops, and again looks like something straight out of a storybook.
Skipping over its gory past, Time Out said: “There are few easier, more atmospheric ways to transport yourself back hundreds of years (without the iffy smells and sights) than a stroll down Shambles.”