37 Facts About Joseph Merrick

Early Life and Family

Joseph Merrick, known as the Elephant Man, lived a life marked by struggle and resilience. His story begins in Leicester, England, where he was born into a working-class family.

1. Joseph Carey Merrick was born on August 5, 1862, to Joseph Rockley Merrick and Mary Jane (née Potterton). His father worked as a warehouseman, and his mother, who had a physical disability, worked as a domestic servant before marriage.

2. Healthy Beginnings: At birth, Joseph appeared healthy with no signs of any disorder. His middle name, Carey, was chosen by his mother after the preacher William Carey.

3. Siblings: Joseph had two siblings, William Arthur and Marion Eliza. William died of scarlet fever at age four, and Marion, who had physical disabilities, died at 23 from myelitis and seizures.

The Onset of Deformities

Joseph's life took a dramatic turn when he began to show signs of a mysterious disorder that would shape his entire existence.

4. Deformities Begin: By age five, Joseph's body started to develop abnormal growths. His head grew to almost 1 meter in circumference, and spongy skin hung from his head and face.

5. Medical Condition: Initially thought to be neurofibromatosis, Merrick's condition is now believed to be Proteus syndrome, causing severe deformities in his skin and bones.

6. Physical Appearance: His right arm was 12 inches in circumference, ending in a finlike hand. His legs were similarly deformed, and a defective hip caused a permanent limp.

Struggles and Hardships

Joseph faced numerous challenges, from family loss to societal rejection, but he continued to persevere.

7. Mother's Death: At 11, Joseph lost his mother to bronchial pneumonia, an event he described as the greatest sadness of his life.

8. Father's Remarriage: His father remarried their landlady, leading Joseph to leave school and work rolling cigars in a factory.

9. Progressing Deformities: As he aged, his deformities worsened. Tumors appeared on his cheek and upper lip, and his feet and right arm grew disproportionately large.

10. Permanent Disability: A fall damaged his left hip, leaving him with a permanent limp and further complicating his physical condition.

11. Stepmother's Cruelty: Joseph's stepmother was cruel, often denying him food and taunting him for not finding work, pushing him to prefer the streets over home.

Life in the Workhouse

Joseph's deformities made it difficult for him to find work, leading him to the harsh environment of the workhouse.

12. Life in the Workhouse: At 17, Joseph became a resident of the Leicester Union Workhouse, a place for the "broken workmen, the drunkards and dissolute, the inadequate and handicapped, the crippled and retarded."

13. Escape from the Workhouse: After four years, Joseph escaped the workhouse and began his career as a freak show performer, exhibited as "The Terrible Elephant Man."

Career as a Freak Show Performer

Joseph's time as a freak show performer was marked by both exploitation and a quest for survival.

14. Freak Show Performer: In 1884, Joseph started traveling with various shows, displaying himself and saving fifty British pounds, which were later stolen by his manager.

15. Return to London: Stranded in Belgium after his money was stolen, Joseph returned to London, where he was discovered by physician Frederick Treves.

Life at the London Hospital

Joseph's life took a significant turn when he was admitted to the London Hospital, where he found some comfort and dignity.

16. Admission to London Hospital: In 1886, Joseph was admitted to the London Hospital. Public donations allowed the hospital to convert rooms into living quarters for him.

17. Relationship with Frederick Treves: Treves became Joseph's doctor and friend, describing him as humble, grateful, and content despite his hardships.

18. Public Support: The public's support was immense, with donations funding Joseph's care and visits from prominent individuals like Alexandra, Princess of Wales.

19. Living Conditions: Joseph lived in two basement rooms at the hospital, providing him with security and dignity he had never known before.

Final Years and Legacy

Joseph's final years were marked by relative comfort, but his legacy continues to inspire and educate.

20. Death: Joseph Merrick died on April 11, 1890, at 27, from accidental suffocation while asleep.

21. Legacy: Joseph's story remains a symbol of the struggles faced by individuals with disabilities in Victorian England, inspiring numerous works of fiction and non-fiction.

22. Cultural Significance: His life reflects the cultural and societal attitudes towards disability during the Victorian era, highlighting the exploitation of individuals with disabilities for entertainment.

23. Medical Studies: Joseph's condition, Proteus syndrome, continues to be a topic of interest in medical research, as it was not fully understood during his lifetime.

24. Public Perception: The public's perception of Joseph was complex, seeing him as both a curiosity and a human being deserving of dignity.

25. Autobiography: Joseph's autobiography provides a firsthand account of his life, highlighting his resilience and desire for normalcy.

26. Relationship with Treves: The relationship between Joseph and Treves underscores the importance of treating patients with dignity and respect.

27. Public Donations: Donations from the public allowed Joseph to live his final years in comfort, reflecting the compassion and understanding of society.

28. Visits from Prominent Individuals: Visits from individuals like Alexandra, Princess of Wales, brought Joseph joy and highlighted his status as a figure of fascination.

29. Living Arrangements: The converted basement rooms at the London Hospital provided Joseph with a sense of security and normalcy.

30. Desire for Normalcy: Despite his deformities, Joseph longed to be accepted as a normal person, reflecting the human need for acceptance and belonging.

31. Hours of Despair: Joseph experienced moments of despair, underscoring the emotional toll of his condition and societal pressures.

32. Absence of Rancor: Despite his hardships, Joseph remained without bitterness, a testament to his resilience and humanity.

33. Medical Attention: The medical attention Joseph received at the London Hospital reflects the evolving understanding of medical ethics.

34. Surgical Procedures: Joseph underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his upper lip, aiming to alleviate physical discomfort.

35. Career in Freak Shows: Joseph's career in freak shows was marked by both exploitation and resilience, as he managed to save money and gain recognition.

36. Stolen Money: Joseph's manager stole the fifty British pounds he had saved, leaving him stranded in Belgium and exacerbating his struggles.

37. Final Years: Joseph's final years were marked by relative comfort and dignity, thanks to his relationship with Treves and public support.

Merrick's Enduring Legacy

Joseph Merrick's life, marked by severe deformities and relentless struggle, remains a powerful testament to human resilience. Born in 1862, Merrick faced unimaginable hardships, from his mother's death to the cruelty of his stepmother and life in the workhouse. Despite these challenges, he found a way to survive, even becoming a freak show performer to escape poverty. His condition, likely Proteus syndrome, made him a subject of both fascination and compassion.

Merrick's relationship with Dr. Frederick Treves and his time at the London Hospital brought him some comfort and dignity. Public support and donations allowed him to live his final years with a sense of security. His story, inspiring numerous works of fiction and non-fiction, highlights the societal attitudes towards disability in Victorian England. Merrick's legacy endures, reminding us of the importance of compassion, dignity, and the human spirit's strength.