Martial Bourdin

The Royal Observatory, Greenwich c. 1902, as depicted on a postcard Martial Bourdin (1868 – 15 February 1894) was a French anarchist, noted for his attempt to bomb Greenwich Observatory. He sustained fatal injuries when his bomb exploded prematurely as he was carrying it through Greenwich Park, London.

Biography Bourdin was a member of the anarchist tailors' group L’Aiguille, along with his brother Henri. He emigrated from France, working as a women's tailor in Detroit and later London. In London, he and his brother were members of Club Autonomie, a popular club for foreign anarchists.

On 15 February 1894 Bourdin entered Greenwich Park, carrying a small bomb, which exploded in his hand. The explosion completely destroyed his left hand and wrist, and blew a small hole through his abdomen. Although Bourdin had sustained massive injuries, he remained alive and able to speak, but refused to answer questions. He was carried to the Seamen's Hospital nearby, where he died 30 minutes later.

Legacy Bourdin's gruesome death and the mystery surrounding his attempted act inspired Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel, The Secret Agent.