The Preserved Corpse That’s a Member of University College London
The weirdest true story from London academia (yes, he's still there!)
If you think university life is strange now, wait until you hear about the time a corpse started attending meetings at one of London’s top universities.
Meet Jeremy Bentham: philosopher, reformer, and... posthumous participant in UCL board meetings.
Yes, you read that right.
Let’s walk through the curious case of how one of England’s most influential thinkers ended up preserved, displayed, and technically “present but not voting” at University College London — nearly 200 years after his death.
Who Was Jeremy Bentham?
Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) was an English philosopher and social reformer best known as the founder of modern utilitarianism — the ethical theory that promotes “the greatest happiness for the greatest number.”
He was an eccentric genius who believed in progressive ideas way ahead of his time:
Advocating for women's rights
Supporting decriminalization of homosexuality
Campaigning for the abolition of slavery and the death penalty
Proposing animal rights long before it was a thing
Bentham wasn’t just a philosopher — he was also the spiritual godfather of University College London (UCL), which was founded in 1826 as a secular alternative to the religious universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
The Auto-Icon: A Final Wish Like No Other
When Bentham died in 1832, he didn’t want an ordinary burial. In true Bentham fashion, he had... other plans.
In his will, he requested that his body be preserved and displayed for educational purposes. Not buried. Not cremated. Displayed.
He even coined a name for it: the Auto-Icon.
His body was to be:
Dressed in his actual clothes
Seated on a wooden chair
With a wax head (more on that in a second)
And kept in a cabinet to inspire future generations
He imagined a world where science, rationalism, and education would flourish — and his physical presence would symbolise that commitment to progress.
The Preservation Process (Things Got Weird)
Bentham’s friend and physician, Dr. Thomas Southwood Smith, took on the job of preserving the body.
The skeleton was cleaned, padded with hay, and dressed in Bentham’s clothes. So far, so good.
But the head? That’s where things went sideways.
Southwood Smith tried to preserve Bentham’s real head using a mummification method based on ancient techniques — which failed spectacularly. The result was… not ideal for display.
It became dark, shrunken, and quite terrifying.
So a wax replica was made instead — using actual hair from Bentham’s scalp — and placed on the body.
The original head? It was stored in the same cabinet for many years… until students kept stealing it as part of university pranks.
Eventually, UCL decided to put it in secure storage for good.
Where Can You See Jeremy Bentham Today?
Bentham’s Auto-Icon sits in a glass cabinet in the Student Centre at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus in central London.
📍 University College London, Euston Rd, London WC1E 6BT
It’s open to the public — just walk into the ground floor lobby of the Student Centre
You’ll see him seated peacefully, dressed in his 19th-century attire, holding his walking stick (nicknamed "Dapple"), and staring out into the atrium.
It’s a little eerie. But undeniably fascinating.
“Present but Not Voting”: A Meeting Legend
Now, about those UCL board meetings…
In 2013, when UCL celebrated its 185th anniversary, Bentham was wheeled into a university council meeting for the first time ever.
While this moment was largely ceremonial, a fun academic myth had existed for years that Bentham had always been “present but not voting” at meetings. It became a quirky part of UCL lore.
This line was even jokingly included in some internal documentation — adding to the myth that Jeremy was silently sitting in on strategic discussions about modern education. Imagine the original utilitarian having thoughts on WiFi upgrades and campus cafés.
Why Did He Want This?
For Bentham, it wasn’t just eccentricity. It was a philosophical statement.
He believed that death shouldn’t be shrouded in mystery or superstition. The dead could — and should — continue to serve the living. Whether through organ donation, scientific research, or in his case... moral inspiration.
The Auto-Icon was meant to be a symbol of rationality, transparency, and commitment to public good.
It also challenged Victorian attitudes toward death — which often involved mourning, religious overtones, and burial rituals. Bentham offered an alternative: one rooted in science, purpose, and a little theatrical flair.
Fun Facts to Share at a Pub
Bentham’s real head was stolen multiple times by rival college students and once found in a locker.
The chair he sits in is original — though the cabinet was updated in 2020 with better lighting and accessibility.
His walking stick, "Dapple," was buried with him… metaphorically speaking.
You don’t need to be a student to visit — just walk into UCL’s Student Centre.
What Makes This Story So London?
Only in London — a city where tradition and rebellion co-exist — would a philosopher’s body end up as both a museum piece and a participant in board meetings.
Bentham’s Auto-Icon perfectly captures London’s eccentric charm:
A place that respects history — but isn’t afraid to laugh at it
A home to deep thinkers, pranksters, and everyone in between
And a city where one of the world’s most forward-thinking philosophers can still get a seat at the table (literally)
Want to See It for Yourself?
You can visit the Auto-Icon for free:
📍 UCL Student Centre, 27-28 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0AW
Closest station: Euston or Russell Square
No ticket. No booking. Just walk in, snap a pic (respectfully), and say hello to London’s most dedicated alumnus.
Final Thoughts
London is full of strange tales — but few match the surreal genius of Jeremy Bentham’s Auto-Icon.
Whether you're a history buff, a philosophy lover, or just someone who enjoys the weirder side of London — this one’s worth your time. Bentham didn’t just shape modern thought — he’s still here, watching, judging... and technically present at meetings.
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