Cincinnati's "Old Cunny": A Notorious Purveyor of Human Flesh
"Cincinnati's 'Old Cunny': A Notorious Purveyor of Human Flesh" by Linden F. Edwards et al. is a historical account written in the mid-20th century, specifically around the 1950s. The book explores the life and criminal exploits of William Cunningham, a notorious resurrectionist who operated in Cincinnati during the 19th century, providing medical colleges with cadavers through illicit means, including grave robbing. The narrative delves into both the infamous acts Cunningham committed and the societal context that allowed such practices to thrive. The book presents a fascinating and grim depiction of Cunningham's life, chronicling his clever and often audacious methods for procuring bodies, his encounters with law enforcement, and his interactions with the local community. It documents various anecdotes that highlight his cunning and audacity, including instances of him escaping capture and even retaliating against those who crossed him. The culmination of Old Cunny's story is his eventual downfall and death, which paradoxically led to his body being sold to the very institutions that had previously employed him. Through this account, readers gain insight into the dark history of body snatching and the moral complexities surrounding medical ethics in the era prior to the establishment of stricter anatomy laws.