On Sunday I went on a tour round Highgate West Cemetery with my housemate. Built in 1839, the cemetery is home to some of the most beautiful graves I have ever seen.
The final picture on here is that of George Wombwell’s grave. In early 1800 he purchased two Boa Constrictors and exhibited them, at a cost, around Soho. Once he realised how popular it was to show these exotic animals, he collected a whole menagerie and travelled around Great Britain with them. Often when his animals died he would sell them to taxidermists or to medical schools. In some instances however he exhibited them. Anyone could see a live animal, but how rare would it be to see one that was dead.
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