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After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

The Man Who Ate Everything

Ep. 263

Listener warning: this episode contains a description of cruelty to animals


One of the strangest tales to emerge from Napoleonic France was that of Tarrare - the man who ate everything. The stories go that he ate corks, cats, snakes and was even guilty of cannibalism. Is this myth or reality? Anthony is joined by Dr Cat Byres, historian of the Paris Morgue to tell this tale.


Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick.


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All music from Epidemic Sounds.


After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

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