Duke of Hamilton's Sarcophagus Quirks

Alexander Douglas (1767-1852), the 10th Duke of Hamilton, held numerous titles, including Duke of Brandon and several Earldoms and Baronetcies. His obsession with his noble lineage and significance led him to construct a towering 120ft mausoleum. He outbid the British Museum to acquire an Egyptian sarcophagus meant for a princess, which he planned to use for his own burial. Concerned about fitting inside it due to his height, he would occasionally lay in it to reassure himself. Even on his deathbed, he worried about his size and instructed his family to 'double him up' to fit. Eventually, they had to remove his feet to accommodate his burial.