"The True History of The Elephant Man" by Michael Howell and Peter Ford is a short but thorough chronicle of the life and times of Joseph Merrick AKA "The Elephant Man."
Joseph Merrick was born in Leicester, Great Britain in 1862. For the first few years of his life, Joseph developed normally, but then began showing signs of a still unknown genetic abnormality.
As he got older, Joseph's skin and bones began to thicken and become deformed. Even though it must have been incredibly difficult, Joseph attempted to work at various jobs, but in the end was forced to put himself on exhibition in order to earn enough money to live.
After being robbed by his manager, Joseph willingly put himself under the care of Dr. Frederick Treves and had his own room at London Hospital where he remained for the rest of his life.
At the hospital, Joseph became friends with aristocrats and ordinary people and apparently found a measure of happiness until he passed away at the age of 27.
The story of Joseph Merrick is more than a terrible congenital disease. It is also about the remarkable character of Mr. Merrick himself who remained a kind soul even after all of the suffering he endured during his life.
The story of Joseph Merrick is more than a terrible congenital disease. It is also about the remarkable character of Mr. Merrick himself who remained a kind soul even after all of the suffering he endured during his life.
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