Joseph Merrick Biography

Joseph Carey Merrick was a disfigured English man who became famous as the Elephant Man when he started working as a professional ‘freak’ in the late19th century. However, his health deteriorated soon after and he stayed at the London Hospital for the remainder of his life. Born in Leicestershire, Merrick grew at a normal rate up until the age of five. Soon after, his skin and muscles started showing abnormal growth, and the symptoms weren’t attributed to any known disorder. His head drastically increased in size with his skin started sagging across his head and face. His jaws were completely deformed, which made his facial expressions stunted and also inhibited his vocal activities. His hands and legs were deformed as well. Doctors initially assumed it to be a case of neurofibromatosis, but he was later diagnosed with Proteus syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Merrick’s unconventional life has been a source of wonder and speculation to many. He was initially confined to a workhouse that he escaped to join a freak show. He was then discovered by the physician, Frederick Treves, who goaded him into getting admitted to the London Hospital. An official letter looking for the cause of his deformity made him famous. However, he remained undiagnosed until his death and died at the age of 27 in his sleep due to asphyxia.