This time, Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney chat with Cat Byers, a Paris-based writer and historian diving into the overlooked history of the New York Morgue. They reveal haunting tales of unclaimed souls from the city's past, exploring the darker side of morgue practices and the controversial figure of Albert N. White. With a blend of tragedy and dark humor, Cat also discusses bizarre historical anecdotes, showcasing the surprising intersection of mortality, morality, and the human experience.
The New York Morgue, established in the late 19th century, served as a vital yet dark institution for managing unclaimed deaths amidst a burgeoning urban population.
The morgue's use of photographs for identifying bodies highlights a stark and detached approach to death, contrasting with more intimate traditions of previous eras.
Cultural differences between New York and Paris regarding death are evident, reflecting broader societal issues tied to class and the treatment of marginalized populations.
Deep dives
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The Historical Morgue of New York
The podcast delves into the history of the New York Morgue established in the late 19th century amidst a growing population and increased need for a facility to manage the deceased. Originally opened around 1865, it was built at Bellevue Hospital, modeled after the Paris morgue, and was necessary due to reports of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in previous facilities. The morgue served a dual purpose, processing unidentified corpses while also providing a public display room for relatives searching for missing loved ones. This dark yet fascinating element of urban history illustrates the struggles of a vibrant city coping with death and anonymity.
Photography and Identification
Essential to the morgue's function was the use of photographs to help identify unclaimed bodies, capturing a more clinical and detached approach compared to the emotional weight of traditional post-mortem photography. Oscar G. Mason, the hospital photographer, documented the deceased, showcasing them in a display known as the Wall of the Unknown Dead, which served as a means for families and friends to seek closure. This method emphasized the stark reality of death in urban life, contrasting with more intimate family-centric practices seen in earlier eras. Additionally, the display of these photographs drew parallels to criminal mugshots, reflecting societal attitudes towards death and identity during the period.
Cultural Attitudes Toward Death
The podcast discusses stark cultural differences in how death is perceived and treated in New York compared to Paris. While the Paris morgue evolved into a popular tourist attraction, the New York morgue held a more sinister reputation, seen as a ghastly place that few would willingly visit. This aversion may stem from prevailing cultural norms, social class divides, and the marginalization of the city’s lower class, whose bodies often ended up in the morgue. Consequently, the display of unidentified bodies lacked the allure that characterized the Parisian counterpart, hinting at deeper societal issues tied to how different cultures engage with mortality.
The Fateful Practices of the Morgue
A captivating yet dark aspect of the New York morgue's history includes the practices of its staff, notably Albert Napoleon White, who was discovered to have sold unclaimed bodies to medical institutions for experimentation. Reports suggest he circumvented lawful processes, enriching himself while working as the morgue's keeper for over two decades, raising questions about ethics and legality during that period. This practice illustrates a troubling relationship between medical science and marginalized populations, emphasizing how society's most vulnerable were often exploited. While White’s actions were eventually scrutinized, they reflect a broader systemic issue in the treatment of the deceased in New York's historical context.
The unclaimed dead of New York City's streets and rivers were once brought to the notorious New York Morgue. It's a history that has never been studied before, full of dark stories and buried secrets.
Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney are joined by Cat Byers who is a writer and historian based in Paris currently finishing a PhD on the Paris Morgue and the never-before-studied New York Morgue.
Edited and produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.
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