Joseph Merrick (Elephant Man)
Joseph Carey Merrick, widely known as “The Elephant Man,” was born on August 5, 1862, in Leicester, England. Initially a healthy child, he developed severe physical abnormalities, including a large bony growth on his forehead and lumpy skin, which led to his nickname. Following the death of his mother when he was eleven, Merrick's life took a difficult turn, marked by poverty, poor working conditions, and social ostracization due to his appearance. He worked in a freak show and was eventually discovered by surgeon Frederick Treves, who brought him to the London Hospital for medical care.
During his time at the hospital, Merrick received significant attention from both the medical community and the public, allowing him to experience a semblance of normal life, including social interactions and creative pursuits like writing poetry. However, his health deteriorated significantly, leading to his untimely death at the age of twenty-seven on April 11, 1890, attributed to asphyxia. Merrick's story has sparked ongoing interest and discussion, leading to various portrayals in literature, film, and theater, while also raising awareness about societal attitudes toward disability and the human experience. His life serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding identity, compassion, and the treatment of those who are different.
Joseph Merrick (Elephant Man)
Historical figure
- Born: August 5, 1862
- Birthplace: Place of birth: Leicester, England
- Died: April 11, 1890
- Place of death: Place of death: London, England
Also known as: Joseph Carey Merrick; John Merrick; the Elephant Man
Significance: Joseph Merrick, better known as the "Elephant Man," was a man whose severe deformities garnered him much attention in Victorian England. After spending time performing in freak shows, Merrick was cared for by surgeon Frederick Treves at the London Hospital until Merrick died at the age of twenty-seven. Merrick’s story lived on in books, film, and a Broadway musical in the years following his death.
Background
Joseph Carey Merrick was born in Leicester, England, on August 5, 1862, son of Mary Jane and Joseph Merrick. He was born a healthy child, but as he aged, he developed lumpy, grayish skin. His mother believed this happened to him because an elephant scared her when she was pregnant. Merrick continued to develop physical abnormalities and grew a huge bony bump on his forehead. His appearance led to him being called the "Elephant Man."
His mother died of an illness when Merrick was eleven years old. Shortly after, Merrick dropped out of school to begin working. He received a job rolling cigars, but as his condition worsened, he was unable to do the work. By this time, his right hand was severely deformed. Merrick also sold items door to door, but people were frightened by his appearance and could not understand his speech. Merrick’s father married another woman, and shortly after, his father asked Merrick to leave home. Merrick found work at the Leicester Union Workhouse, but the conditions there were poor. He hated the job and left after a few years. Merrick then found work at a "freak show," appearing as the "Half-a-Man and Half-an-Elephant" in an exhibit.
Life’s Work
After the freak show, Merrick worked at a shop in London, where he was displayed in the window. Physicians and surgeons from the London Hospital across the street from the shop noticed Merrick. A surgeon named Frederick Treves stopped by the shop and asked Merrick to come to the hospital for a medical exam.
At the hospital, doctors measured his abnormally sized head at thirty-six inches. His right wrist was twelve inches around, and his longest finger was five inches in width. Treves also noticed an unpleasant odor coming from the grayish warts on his body. Merrick also had a lame hip but was considered in good health despite the physical deformities. Treves asked Merrick if he could present Merrick at a meeting of the Pathological Society of London, and Merrick agreed. Afterward, Merrick said the presentation made him feel like he was on exhibit and the exams made him feel probed like an animal. He declined any further exams or presentations by Treves.
Merrick’s life took a bad turn when the exhibit at the shop closed, leaving him out of work. He then traveled and toured, but Merrick was robbed and beaten. He eventually returned to London around 1886. He was suffering from an infection and unable to communicate, but police officers found a card for Treves in his clothing. They called Treves, and Treves took Merrick to the London Hospital. Treves eventually convinced the hospital to admit Merrick, whose condition was worsening.
During this time, Treves cared for Merrick and made his case public. Merrick caught the attention of many people, including wealthy donors who sent financial contributions to Merrick for his care. Merrick finally was able to lead a somewhat normal life and pursue some of his interests. He lived at the hospital, where he received care, but he was able to leave as he pleased. He attended the theater and went on vacation. Merrick developed relationships and penned letters to acquaintances. He also composed poetry and other writings. He enjoyed works by the poet Isaac Watts and often quoted him in correspondence to others.
Merrick’s physical abnormalities continued to plague him, and his condition deteriorated rapidly. He required much care from the staff at the hospital. His head grew very large and caused him much pain and anxiety. Merrick had to sleep sitting up because of the weight of his head. He died at the age of twenty-seven on April 11, 1890. It was reported that he had slept lying down, causing asphyxia.
Impact
Merrick’s unusual condition and appearance captured the attention of many people during his life and after his death. While he was considered a freak to those who did not know him, he became a medical curiosity and a friend to many. After Merrick died, the medical community studied his skeleton extensively to determine the exact nature of his condition. Many people mistakenly thought he suffered from elephantiasis, but this was not true. Doctors speculated that he suffered from neurofibromatosis type 1, in which tumors grow in the nerve tissue and cause deformities. Some also thought Merrick could have suffered from Proteus syndrome, which causes part of the body to grow abnormally. This research left Merrick’s skeleton badly bleached and limited much further research. Merrick’s story has been told through books, film, and a Broadway play.
Personal Life
Merrick was very close to his mother until her death. The relationship between Merrick and his father deteriorated after his father remarried. Merrick ended up homeless and struggled to find work. He covered his face when he was in public to avoid attention, but he was harassed and attacked. Merrick eventually met Treves, who helped care for Merrick until his death. Merrick enjoyed writing letters and prose and yearned for the company of others.
Bibliography
"Biography of Joseph Carey Merrick (1862–1890)." National Human Genome Research Institute. National Human Genome Research Institute, n.d. Web. 9 May 2016.
Bomford, Andrew. "Unlocking the Secrets of the Elephant Man." BBC. BBC, 29 Aug. 2013. Web. 9 May 2016.
"Joseph Carey Merrick—The ‘Elephant Man’ (1862–90)." Brought to Life. Science Museum, n.d. Web. 9 May 2016.
Pednaud, J. Tithonus. "Joseph Merrick—The Elephant Man." Human Marvels. Human Marvels, n.d. Web. 9 May 2016.
Saunders, Russell. "The True Story of ‘The Elephant Man.’" Daily Beast. Daily Beast Company, 3 Nov. 2014. Web. 9 May 2016.