Mary Bateman was a con artist, poisoner and self-proclaimed prophet from Yorkshire. She spent decades defrauding desperate people by selling fake charms and prophecies. When a client grew suspicious, Mary poisoned her with honey laced with arsenic. The woman died slowly over several weeks. Mary was hanged in York in 1809. The execution drew 5,000 people. After her death, her body was publicly displayed and people paid to view it. Then she was dissected at Leeds General Infirmary in front of a paying audience. Strips of her skin were tanned into leather and sold as good luck charms. People bought them.
Interesting Fact Her skeleton is still on display at the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds. You can visit it today.
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