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Joseph Merrick, often referred to as The Elephant Man, is celebrated as a medical anomaly. His mysterious condition thrust him into the public spotlight, a life that was far from glamorous. After enduring numerous challenges in traveling shows, he eventually found refuge at the London Hospital.
While many perceive him merely as a subject of study, he was much more than that. The Elephant Man was a person with a rich life and history that extended beyond the spectacle of sideshows. Though his existence lacked luxury, numerous intriguing details highlight the extraordinary nature of this Victorian-era individual.
10. Merrick Entered the World Without Complications
Born on August 5, 1862, in Leicester, England, to parents Mary Jane and Joseph Merrick, young Joseph was initially a perfectly healthy baby—free from any physical deformities or health issues.
At the age of five, Merrick’s body underwent rapid transformations. Abnormal bone growths emerged, leading to severe deformities in his skin. His skull structure altered dramatically, with large folds of skin draping from the back of his head and across his face.
His right arm twisted unnaturally, and his hand morphed into a flipper-like shape. His legs were similarly affected, making walking difficult and forcing him to rely on a cane. Despite his growing physical challenges, Merrick managed to attend school until he turned 11, when his condition made it impossible to continue.
His parents, horrified by his condition, believed it was linked to an incident during his mother’s pregnancy. She had been knocked over by an elephant at a fairground, and the Merricks were convinced this trauma was the cause of their son’s affliction.
9. Merrick Likely Had Proteus Syndrome
In Merrick’s era, medical science was far less advanced than it is today. Encountering someone with a condition like Merrick’s was a profound shock. At the time, many physicians concluded that Merrick was afflicted with an extreme form of neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that triggers the growth of tumors on the nervous system.
Thankfully, medical knowledge has progressed significantly since then. Research on Merrick’s remains revealed that neurofibromatosis was an incorrect diagnosis. His condition did not originate from issues within the nervous system.
Modern studies suggest that Merrick most likely had Proteus syndrome, an exceedingly rare disorder. This condition leads to excessive growth in bones, skin, and other tissues, often causing asymmetrical development that disproportionately affects one side of the body—exactly as seen in Merrick’s case.
Unfortunately, Merrick’s parents could not have predicted that their son would develop Proteus syndrome at birth. The disease remains undetectable until the child is at least six months old, when physical symptoms begin to appear.
8. Merrick Had Three Siblings, All of Whom Met Tragic Ends
Merrick was not the only child in his family, but his siblings faced equally tragic fates, each succumbing to various illnesses and physical challenges. His brother, John, born on April 21, 1864, survived only three months before dying of smallpox, a widespread disease during that period.
William, Merrick’s second brother, was born in January 1866 and lived nearly five years before falling victim to scarlet fever, which claimed his life.
Marion, Merrick’s sole sister, was born on September 28, 1867. She struggled with health issues, including myelitis, seizures, and other disabilities. She passed away in 1891, just a year after Merrick’s death.
7. Merrick Briefly Worked for His Father
After his mother’s death when he was 11, Merrick’s father remarried quickly. To contribute to the family’s income, Merrick left school and took up cigar rolling. However, he was forced to quit a few years later when severe growths rendered his right arm unusable.
Merrick later worked in his father’s haberdashery, a shop that sold men’s clothing, accessories, and various small items. His role as a door-to-door salesman proved to be deeply discouraging. The growths on his legs and hips made walking arduous, turning his sales route into a daily struggle.
By this stage, his facial deformities had become severe, leaving him heavily disfigured. These deformities also hindered his ability to communicate clearly while attempting to sell his father’s products. Potential customers were often startled by his appearance, and his speech was difficult to understand, leaving many frightened and unwilling to engage.
Despite his hard work, Merrick struggled to generate sufficient income. His father, frustrated by the lack of sales, subjected him to harsh beatings and eventually forced him out of the house at the age of 17.
6. Merrick Was Once Exhibited in a Shop Window
During Merrick’s lifetime, sideshows showcasing human oddities were a popular form of entertainment. Tom Norman discovered Merrick and quickly added him to his collection of exhibits. With his grayish, swollen skin, Merrick was marketed as “part man, part elephant,” a description that captivated audiences.
Norman insisted that Merrick was treated well and earned a decent income while part of his freak show. While Merrick’s situation improved compared to living on the streets, Norman reaped greater financial benefits by keeping him on display.
Public interest in Norman’s show eventually waned, leading to its closure by authorities due to concerns over public decency and disturbances. Left without income, Merrick ventured to Belgium to join another show, but this endeavor proved to be a complete failure.
5. Merrick Was Stuck in Europe for a Year
Upon arriving in Belgium, Merrick encountered a new promoter and an indifferent audience. His performances in the traveling shows garnered only modest attention, and his Austrian promoter turned out to be a genuine monster.
Following the collapse of the Belgium shows, the Austrian promoter stole Merrick’s savings, assaulted him, and left him stranded. Alone and desperate, Merrick longed to return to England. He eventually secured passage on a ship and arrived back in England in 1886.
During his journey from Belgium, Merrick developed a bronchial infection. Upon arriving at Liverpool Street Station, crowds gathered around him, shocked by his unusual appearance. Unable to communicate clearly, Merrick was detained by the police and taken into custody.
4. Merrick Had a Passion for Writing
While working in sideshows, Merrick penned a brief autobiography, which was printed as a pamphlet distributed at the shows. This three-page account was carefully crafted, with Merrick providing detailed insights into his life and condition.
Merrick was a skilled writer who found joy in the craft. After returning to London from Europe, he settled permanently at London Hospital, thanks to the intervention of Dr. Frederick Treves.
Once settled in a secure environment, Merrick’s passion for writing flourished. Writing became a source of solace in a life marked by hardship. He composed prose, poetry, and took great pleasure in crafting letters.
Many of his letters ended with a poem titled “False Greatness” by Isaac Watts, which held deep personal significance for Merrick:
‘Tis true my form is something odd, But blaming me is blaming God; Could I create myself anew I would not fail in pleasing you.
If I could reach from pole to pole Or grasp the ocean with a span, I would be measured by the soul; The mind’s the standard of the man.
Decades after Merrick’s passing, the United Kingdom National Archives preserves a collection of his personal letters, offering a glimpse into his thoughts and experiences.
3. Merrick’s Story Reached the Silver Screen
In 1980, Merrick’s life was adapted into a film. Drawing from Dr. Frederick Treves’ accounts and Ashley Montagu’s book, The Elephant Man: A Story in Human Dignity, director David Lynch (Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive) brought Merrick’s story to life on screen. Starring Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt, the black-and-white film poignantly portrayed Merrick’s tragic life.
To achieve an authentic portrayal of Merrick’s appearance, Lynch collaborated with makeup artist Chris Tucker, who used actual casts of Merrick’s body for reference. Even 90 years after his death, Joseph Merrick’s story continued to captivate audiences.
2. Merrick’s Skeleton Was Exhibited in London
Following the autopsy, Merrick’s skeleton was donated to Queen Mary University of London. For decades, it was publicly displayed, but today, his bones are stored in a restricted area, accessible only with special permission.
Those interested in viewing Merrick’s remains can visit the Royal London Hospital, where a meticulously detailed 3-D replica of his skeleton is on display. Alongside it are various personal artifacts, including his hat, mask, photos, and a model church he crafted during his time at the hospital.
1. Merrick’s Own Head Caused His Death
Merrick’s excessive skin and bone growth caused significant harm to his body, particularly his head. The weight of the massive skin folds forced him to sleep upright in a chair, as lying down posed serious risks, including the possibility of death during sleep.
Tragically, this is how Merrick met his end. On the night he died, he chose to lie down in bed, hoping to “live like everyone else.” That night, he passed away in his sleep.
Dr. Treves, who had dedicated himself to improving Merrick’s life at the hospital, conducted the autopsy and concluded that Merrick died of asphyxiation. Over a century later, a new theory emerged, suggesting that the weight of his head dislocated his neck, crushing his spinal column.
