The True History of the Elephant Man
Encyclopedia
The True History of the Elephant Man is a biography of Joseph Merrick
written by Michael Howell and Peter Ford. It was published in 1980 in London, by Allison & Busby
. It was distributed in the United States by Schocken Books
. A second edition was published in 1983. Following Michael Howell's death in 1986, Peter Ford published a third edition of the book in 1992.
. Within the first few years of his life it became apparent that he suffered from deformities on his face and body. These deformities grew to be significantly noticeable, and tumours on his mouth affected his speech. After leaving home, Merrick was unable to make a living and at 17 he entered Leicester Union workhouse
. After four years in the workhouse, Merrick contacted a showman who agreed to exhibit him as the "Elephant Man". While on display in a penny gaff
shop in London, Merrick met a surgeon named Frederick Treves
who invited Merrick to the London hospital to be examined. Soon after, Merrick's exhibition was shut down by the police and Merrick travelled to Belgium under a new manager. After being robbed and abandoned, he found his way back to London and into the care of Treves. Merrick was allowed to live in rooms at the London Hospital where he became a celebrity in London's high society. He stayed there until his death in 1890.
Frederick Treves wrote about Merrick's case in his memoirs of 1923. The first major work about Merrick's life was The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity by anthropologist Ashley Montagu
, published in 1971. Montagu drew heavily on Treves' memoirs, and the "autobiographical" pamphlet that had been written to sell to visitors to Merrick's exhibitions. Monagu's book inspired numerous dramatic works about Merrick, notably a 1979 play
by Bernard Pomerance
and a 1980 film
by David Lynch
. Between these two works, Michael Howell and Peter Ford published their True History.
. After Merrick is abandoned in Belgium, the book sees him returning to Treves at the London Hospital and provides a detailed account of his life there. The final chapters discuss theories on Merrick's medical condition, describe the end of his life and give details on what became on some of the key figures in his life. Appendices reproduce "The Autobiography of Joseph Merrick" and the title chapter of Treves' The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences.
called the book "well-researched and level-headed — easily the best offering in this year of the elephant man." and noted the new material on the topic introduced by the authors. Reviewing for Postgraduate Medical Journal
, M. J. Arnold praised the book, calling it "a comprehensive account ... of the complex interrelationships between Joseph and Treves, beautifully written..." Arnold went on to say "This is surely the last word and the true version" of Merrick's story.
Writing for The New York Times
, Anatole Broyard
called the book "absorbing and well-balanced" and noted that it "corrects earlier versions of Merrick's life".
Joseph Merrick
Joseph Carey Merrick , sometimes incorrectly referred to as John Merrick, was an English man with severe deformities who was exhibited as a human curiosity named the Elephant Man. He became well known in London society after he went to live at the London Hospital...
written by Michael Howell and Peter Ford. It was published in 1980 in London, by Allison & Busby
Allison & Busby
Allison & Busby is a British publishing house, set up by Clive Allison and Margaret Busby in 1967. The company has built up a reputation as a leading independent publisher....
. It was distributed in the United States by Schocken Books
Schocken Books
Schocken Books is a publishing company that was established in Berlin with a publishing office in Prague in 1931 by the Schocken Department Store owner Salman Schocken. It published the writings of Martin Buber, Franz Rosenzweig, Franz Kafka and S. Y...
. A second edition was published in 1983. Following Michael Howell's death in 1986, Peter Ford published a third edition of the book in 1992.
Background
Joseph Carey Merrick was born in 1862 in LeicesterLeicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
. Within the first few years of his life it became apparent that he suffered from deformities on his face and body. These deformities grew to be significantly noticeable, and tumours on his mouth affected his speech. After leaving home, Merrick was unable to make a living and at 17 he entered Leicester Union workhouse
Workhouse
In England and Wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment...
. After four years in the workhouse, Merrick contacted a showman who agreed to exhibit him as the "Elephant Man". While on display in a penny gaff
Penny gaff
A penny gaff was a popular entertainment for the lower classes in 19th century England. It consisted of short, theatrical entertainments which could be staged wherever space permitted, such as the back room of a public house or small hall. Unsophisticated, the props and scenery rarely consisted of...
shop in London, Merrick met a surgeon named Frederick Treves
Sir Frederick Treves, 1st Baronet
Sir Frederick Treves, 1st Baronet, GCVO, CH, CB was a prominent British surgeon of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, now most famous for his friendship with Joseph Merrick, "the Elephant Man".-Eminent surgeon:...
who invited Merrick to the London hospital to be examined. Soon after, Merrick's exhibition was shut down by the police and Merrick travelled to Belgium under a new manager. After being robbed and abandoned, he found his way back to London and into the care of Treves. Merrick was allowed to live in rooms at the London Hospital where he became a celebrity in London's high society. He stayed there until his death in 1890.
Frederick Treves wrote about Merrick's case in his memoirs of 1923. The first major work about Merrick's life was The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity by anthropologist Ashley Montagu
Ashley Montagu
Montague Francis Ashley Montagu was a British-American anthropologist and humanist, of Jewish ancestry, who popularized topics such as race and gender and their relation to politics and development...
, published in 1971. Montagu drew heavily on Treves' memoirs, and the "autobiographical" pamphlet that had been written to sell to visitors to Merrick's exhibitions. Monagu's book inspired numerous dramatic works about Merrick, notably a 1979 play
The Elephant Man (play)
The Elephant Man is a 1977 play by Bernard Pomerance. The production's Broadway debut in 1979 was produced by Richmond Crinkley and Nelle Nugent, and directed by Jack Hofsiss...
by Bernard Pomerance
Bernard Pomerance
Bernard Pomerance is an American playwright and poet whose best known work is the play The Elephant Man. Pomerance was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1940. He studied at the University of Chicago and moved to London in 1968....
and a 1980 film
The Elephant Man (film)
The Elephant Man is a 1980 American drama film based on the true story of Joseph Merrick , a severely deformed man in 19th century London...
by David Lynch
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
. Between these two works, Michael Howell and Peter Ford published their True History.
Summary
The book begins with the exhibition of Merrick in a London penny gaff shop and his meeting with surgeon Frederick Treves. Following a biographical outline of Treves, the narrative goes back in time to recount the details of Merrick's early life, family and years living in the Leicester Union workhouse. His days working as a sideshow exhibit are detailed, as is the life of one of his managers, Tom NormanTom Norman
Thomas Noakes, later known as Tom Norman, was an English businessman and showman. He started his working life as a butcher in Sussex and at 17 moved to London. After viewing an exhibition of an "Electric Lady" next door to his place of work, he went into business with the lady's manager and began...
. After Merrick is abandoned in Belgium, the book sees him returning to Treves at the London Hospital and provides a detailed account of his life there. The final chapters discuss theories on Merrick's medical condition, describe the end of his life and give details on what became on some of the key figures in his life. Appendices reproduce "The Autobiography of Joseph Merrick" and the title chapter of Treves' The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences.
Reception
In a book review for Medical History, medical historian Roy PorterRoy Porter
Roy Sydney Porter was a British historian noted for his prolific work on the history of medicine.-Life:...
called the book "well-researched and level-headed — easily the best offering in this year of the elephant man." and noted the new material on the topic introduced by the authors. Reviewing for Postgraduate Medical Journal
Postgraduate Medical Journal
The Postgraduate Medical Journal was established by the Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine in 1925 . The Postgraduate Medical Journal continues to be the official journal of the Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine...
, M. J. Arnold praised the book, calling it "a comprehensive account ... of the complex interrelationships between Joseph and Treves, beautifully written..." Arnold went on to say "This is surely the last word and the true version" of Merrick's story.
Writing for The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, Anatole Broyard
Anatole Broyard
Anatole Paul Broyard was an American writer, literary critic and editor for The New York Times. In addition to his many reviews and columns, he published short stories, essays and two books during his lifetime...
called the book "absorbing and well-balanced" and noted that it "corrects earlier versions of Merrick's life".