2011 © Hector MacMillan | Terms & Conditions

Honorary Fellow: Association For Scottish Literary Studies

“If we investigate only by physical and chemical means, we can only get physical and chemical answers.”

Sir Alister Hardy, FRS

The Resurrection of Matthew Clydesdale

Stage play, written on spec. Produced by Glasgow University Arts Theatre Group. 1971. Director Ida Schuster.

In Glasgow, 1818, a condemned murderer was sentenced not only to be hanged but thereafter to be 'publicly dissected'. The fact that his body was first of all used by University staff for a medical experiment, utilising bellows and a galvanic battery, is not disputed; the intention and outcome of the experiment remain controversial. Peter MacKenzie's Old Reminiscences of Glasgow published his eye-witness account [almost certainly during the lifetime of others such] and I was unable to locate any contemporary refutation of MacKenzie.

In the Burke & Hare era of body-snatchers, medical men were wary of both Law and vengeful mobs, so the official version of the story has to be judged alongside MacKenzie's account. The question as to why the particular equipment was used if possible resuscitation was never envisaged still has to be answered convincingly. My own experience of working in what then might well also have been termed cutting-edge research has made me aware that scientists can be no more nobly motivated, or honest, than the rest of us.

Amongst many, a pleasing aspect of the production was that the 18th-century Professor of Anatomy was played by Terence Nonweiller, then Professor of Aeronautics.

'thrilling, compelling play .. not to be missed' Glasgow Evening Times

'audience on the edge of their seats' Scots Independent

'hair-raising climax' Glasgow Herald