The True History of the Elephant Man: The Definitive Account of the Tragic and Extraordinary Life of Joseph Carey Merrick

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In the hospital basement, two adjacent rooms were specially adapted for him. There was access to the courtyard and no mirrors to remind him of his appearance. Over his last four years spent in the hospital’s care, he enjoyed his life more than he ever had before. Visitors could watch a reflective documentary about ‘The Elephant Man’ detailing his life, death at the hospital and his friendship with his doctor.

I was taunted and sneered at so that I would not go home to my meals, and used to stay in the streets with a hungry belly rather than return for anything to eat, what few half-meals I did have, I was taunted with the remark—"That's more than you have earned." David Schofield". Filmbug. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021 . Retrieved 4 December 2015. This book was awing. This book is overwhelmingly sad but the story is amazing and absolutely true. I cried after almost every chapter. Durbach, Nadja (2009), "Monstrosity, Masculinity, and Medicine: Reexamining 'the Elephant Man' ", The Spectacle of Deformity: Freak Shows and Modern British Culture, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, ISBN 978-0-520-25768-9 Toulmin, Vanessa; Harrison, B. (January 2008). "Norman, Tom (1860–1930)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (onlineed.). Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ref:odnb/73081 . Retrieved 19 June 2010. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)Howell, Michael; Ford, Peter (1983), The True History of the Elephant Man (2nded.), London: Allison & Busby, ISBN 0-85031-513-1 What I liked most about this book was that the author was able to include Joseph's childlike wonder and excitement thoughts as well as the thoughts that were of rich emotions and religion.

Toulmin, Vanessa (2007), " 'It was not the show it was the tale that you told': The Life and Legend of Tom Norman, the Silver King", National Fairground Archive, University of Sheffield, archived from the original on 10 October 2010 , retrieved 19 May 2010 On 21 May 1887, the Prince and Princess of Wales came to the hospital to officially open two new buildings. The royal party met with Joseph in his room, and the Princess sent him a Christmas card each year. Princess Alexandra’s kindly interest led other members of the upper class to embrace him. He eventually became a favourite of Queen Victoria. Dame Madge Kendal Norman would stand outside enticing customers to come into his shop and see Joseph explaining that the Elephant Man was “not here to frighten you but to enlighten you.” New research on Elephant man". BBC News. 28 February 2003. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021 . Retrieved 13 May 2020.I thought the movie version was very good but, of course, figured that Hollywood took a lot of liberties in their portrayal and after reading this I can see where they did. The true story of the elephant man may not have been as dramatic as the movie version, but it was still powerful and, because it is true, I believe even sadder than what the emotion of the movie conveyed. In 1879, when 17 years old, he ended up in the Leicester Union workhouse where he stayed for four years. Victorian workhouses were often more like prisons for the unemployed and unemployable. They worked long hours for the roof over their head doing the most unwanted laborious tasks of the era.

Howell, Michael; Ford, Peter (1980), The True History of the Elephant Man (1sted.), London: Allison & Busby, ISBN 0-85031-353-8 It’s unclear whether actress Madge Kendal did ever actually meet Joseph in person but she was able to raise public sympathy and therefore more funds to help support him. Montagu, Ashley (1971), The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity, New York: E. P. Dutton, ISBN 0-87690-037-6

Life and times of Joseph Merrick

His mother died from unknown causes when he was just 11, and his father — also Joseph — soon remarried.