Haydn's skull

USIS - Totenschaedel von Joseph Haydn

Haydn's Skull refers to the posthumous odyssey of the skull of the famous composer Joseph Haydn. Haydn, a pivotal figure in the Classical period of music, died in 1809. However, his remains did not rest in peace due to the actions of phrenologists, leading to a bizarre and prolonged journey of his skull.

Background

Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer who played a significant role in the development of Classical music. His contributions to musical forms such as the symphony and string quartet are monumental. Haydn passed away on May 31, 1809, in Vienna, and was initially buried in the Hundsturm cemetery.

Theft of the Skull

In 1809, shortly after Haydn's burial, his skull was stolen by enthusiasts of phrenology, a then-popular pseudoscience that claimed to determine personality, mental ability, and character traits from the shape of the skull. The main culprits were Johann Nepomuk Peter and Joseph Carl Rosenbaum, who were fascinated by Haydn's genius and believed his skull would provide insights into his talents.

Journey of the Skull

Haydn's skull passed through various hands over the years, remaining separated from the rest of his body. In 1820, Haydn's remains were moved to Eisenstadt by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II, but the skull was not with them. It was kept in a custom-made black wooden box and occasionally shown to interested parties.

The skull's whereabouts became a matter of public interest, and several attempts were made to reunite it with Haydn's body. However, these efforts were met with various obstacles, including the refusal of the skull's then-owners to relinquish it.

Reunification and Burial

It was not until 1954, nearly 150 years after Haydn's death, that the skull was finally reunited with the rest of his remains. This occurred after a series of negotiations and, at one point, involved the use of a substitute skull to satisfy all parties involved. Haydn's remains, now complete, were interred in a marble sarcophagus in the Bergkirche, Eisenstadt, where they rest to this day.

Legacy

The story of Haydn's skull is often cited as a peculiar episode in the history of classical music and the cultural practices of the 19th century. It highlights the period's fascination with phrenology and the lengths to which individuals would go to study the physical attributes they believed linked to genius.

See Also

• Phrenology
• Joseph Haydn
• Classical music
• History of science