Harvard University's Groundbreaking Decision on Controversial Artifact

Harvard University recently made the startling decision to remove the human skin binding from a 19th-century book in its library. The book, "Des Destinées de l’Ame" or "Destinies of the Soul," was confirmed to be bound in human skin in 2014. This decision follows years of intense criticism and debate over the ethical implications of owning such a macabre item.

The Book and Its Troubling History

Penned by French author Arsène Houssaye, this book explores the concepts of the soul and the afterlife. Its first owner, Dr. Ludovic Bouland, a French physician, took the skin from a deceased female patient without her consent and used it to bind the book. This disturbing history, paired with the revelation that students used the book for hazing rituals, led Harvard to reconsider its ownership of the book and ultimately to remove the human skin binding.

Harvard's Acknowledgement and Apology

The university openly recognized its previous shortcomings in dealing with the contentious book. It confessed that it hadn't upheld ethical standards and had at times resorted to a sensationalist and morbid tone in promoting the book. The university has since expressed its regret for objectifying and undermining the dignity of the individual whose remains were used for the binding.

Decision Prompted by Committee Recommendations

The resolution to remove the binding was influenced by the recommendations of the 2022 Report of the Harvard University Steering Committee on Human Remains in University Museum Collections. Harvard is now taking steps to determine a final, respectful disposition for the human remains, consulting with authorities at the university and in France.

Shedding Light on a Macabre Practice

This incident has drawn attention to the practice of anthropodermic bibliopegy, or the binding of books in human skin. This practice, though popular in the 19th century, is now deemed highly controversial and ethically questionable. Harvard University expressed remorse for the cavalier and morbid tone in which the discovery of the human skin binding was announced in 2014.

Significance of the Skin Binding Removal

The removal of the human skin binding from the book triggers significant discussions about the ethical considerations surrounding the handling of human remains in museum collections. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for sensitivity and respect when dealing with such materials. Harvard University's decision to remove the human skin binding from the 19th-century book signifies a growing consciousness of the ethical implications surrounding the possession and display of human remains. The university has acknowledged its past failures and is taking steps to rectify them. This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of ethical standards and respect in the preservation and handling of cultural artifacts.