Martial Bourdin's bomb death at Greenwich Observatory

Background. Martial Bourdin was a French anarchist active in London, associated with the tailors' group L’Aiguille. On 15 February 1894, he entered Greenwich Park carrying a small bomb. The device exploded prematurely in his hand, causing fatal injuries. The location was near the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, situated on a hill in Greenwich Park overlooking the River Thames.

Investigation. Police investigators determined that Bourdin had left his room on Fitzroy Street in London and travelled by tram from Westminster to Greenwich Park. It is not known why he chose the observatory, or whether the detonation was intended to occur elsewhere. The incident was described as an attempted bombing on 15 February 1894.

Literary Legacy. Bourdin's gruesome death and the mystery surrounding his attempted act inspired Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel, The Secret Agent. The incident remains a notable event in the history of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, which is now maintained as a museum part of the National Maritime Museum.