Merrick was born in the mid-1800s and had a bad time due to his illness. The details of his illness, which can only be understood after decades, and the reflection of his illness on his life, make his life story even sadder.
Joseph Merrick, known as the "Elephant Man", was born in Leicester, England, in 1862. Merrick was born into a family of 4 children. One of Merrick's three siblings died of smallpox the year he was born, another died of scarlet fever at the age of 4, and the last was born with a physical disability. He also died at the age of 24 due to Myelitis disease and seizures. There was no change in his physical appearance from his birth until he went to primary school. The disease began to show its first symptoms during his primary school years. The bone mass in his lips and forehead grew. Then his feet and arms started to swell. His illness and the changes in his appearance remained a mystery until 1986, a hundred years after his death.
Joseph Carey Merrick (5 August 1862 – 11 April 1890), often erroneously called John Merrick, was an English man known for his severe physical deformities. He was first exhibited at a freak show under the stage name "The Elephant Man", and then went to live at the London Hospital after meeting Sir Frederick Treves, subsequently becoming well known in London society.
Joseph Merrick dropped out of school at the age of 13, feeling left out by his peers. Following the death of his mother, his father's remarriage pushed him to stand on his own feet at the age of 17. He left home but could not find a job due to his appearance. He took shelter in the Home for the Poor and stayed there for 4 years.
In 1884, British showman Sam Torr discovered him and began exhibiting him as the "Elephant Man", the name by which he became known. Mirreck went on tour before being exhibited in a shop owned by Tom Norman. The shop was just opposite the London Hospital, so he was frequently visited by the surgeon Frederick Treves, who was invited to examine and photograph Joseph. Because Mirreck's disease was rare, no doctor could diagnose or treat it. However, Frederick Treves was paying close attention to Mirreck to resolve the situation.
THE CAUSE OF DEATH IS UNKNOWN
Merrick died in 1890 at the age of 27. The official cause of his death was stated to be asphyxia (asphyxia due to lack of oxygen). His disease was unknown until 1986 when Merrick concluded that he had Proteus syndrome, a rare congenital disorder also known as Wiedemann syndrome. DNA tests were performed on Merrick's bones and hair, and this result was confirmed in 2003.
Interesting details from his life story
Joseph Merrick, known as the "elephant man", was born in Leicester, England, in 1862.
In early childhood, a strange disease began to appear on his body, which softened his skin.
His lips grew larger and a mass of bone began to grow on his forehead. His feet and one of his arms also grew larger.
His illness remained a mystery until 1986, almost a hundred years after his death.
Joseph was born healthy and showed no physical disabilities at birth.
One of Merrick's three siblings died of smallpox the year he was born, another died of scarlet fever at the age of 4, and the last was born physically handicapped. He also died at the age of 24 due to Myelitis disease and seizures.
Joseph's mother also had some sort of physical disability and died when he was 9 years old.
When his mother died, Joseph had a strange and unexplained physical appearance.
He fell once and damaged his hip. After this fall, he began to limp.
At the age of 13, he had to leave school due to his physical appearance. Likewise, he had difficulty finding a job.
When his father remarried, Joseph had to leave home.
When he was 17, he took refuge in a workhouse and stayed there for four years.
In 1884, British showman Sam Torr discovered him and began performing him as the "elephant man", the name by which he became known.
Joseph went on a tour with the show before it was exhibited in a shop owned by Tom Norman.
The shop was just opposite the London Hospital, so Joseph was frequently visited by the surgeon Frederick Treves, who invited him to examine and photograph him.
After Norman's shop closed for a while, Merrick was sent on a tour in Europe.
While performing in Brussels, he was robbed by his road manager and left alone and penniless on the streets of an unknown city. Luckily the police found him and although they were unable to contact Dr. He found Treves' card in his pocket. Thus, he was contacted and sent to the London Hospital.
Although Merrick's disease was not previously known, it was not understood by any doctor.
So no one knew how to treat it. Even doctors had no idea how to treat his condition.
He gave Doctor Treves Merrick, who pursued him with the hope of curing him but failed, the opportunity to at least spend the last years of his life in a bright room, reading books, chatting with the people he loved, in an environment where people would not look at him like a freak.
Merrick grew up near Doctor Treves, who visited him every day. Moreover, many members of wealthy circles visited him frequently.
Merrick died in 1890 at the age of 27. The official cause of his death was stated to be asphyxia (asphyxia due to lack of oxygen). However, when Doctor Treves performed an autopsy on the body, he concluded that Merrick had died of dislocation.
Doctor Treves believed that Merrick might have tried to lie down in his bed "like other people", although he was forced to sit up because of the weight of his head.
His disease was unknown until 1986 when scientists concluded that Merrick had proteus syndrome, a rare congenital disorder also known as Wiedemann syndrome. DNA tests were performed on Merrick's bones and hair, and this result was confirmed in 2003.