Harvard Removes Human Skin Binding from 19th-Century Book, Apologizes for Ethical Missteps

The university acknowledges past failures in stewardship and commits to respectful disposition of the remains.

Harvard University has removed the human skin binding from a 19th-century book, 'Des destinées de l’âme,' acknowledging past ethical failures in its stewardship.
The removal was prompted by a review following a university report on human remains in its collections, highlighting the need for ethical responsibility.
The book, bound in the skin of an unnamed deceased female patient without her consent, has been in Harvard's collection since 1934.
Harvard is conducting further research into the book, its first owner Dr. Ludovic Bouland, and the female patient, consulting with French authorities for a respectful disposition of the remains.
The university has faced criticism for previously sensationalizing the book and not addressing calls for its removal earlier, but now aims to correct historical errors and ensure dignified treatment of the remains.