The True History of the Elephant Man - Softcover

Ford, Peter; Howell, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0749005165 ISBN 13: 9780749005160

Publisher: Allison & Busby, 2001

Synopsis

Joseph Carey Merrick, born in Leicester on 5th August 1852, is better known as the Elephant Man. Through horrible physical deformities which were almost impossible to describe, he spent much of his life exhibited as a fairground freak until even nineteenth-century sensibilities could take no more. Hounded, persecuted and starving, he ended up one day at Liverpool Street Station where he was rescued, housed and fed by the distinguished surgeon Frederick Treves. To Treves' surprise, he discovered during the course of their friendship that lurking beneath the mass of Merrick's corrupting flesh lived a spirit that was as courageous as it had been tortured, and a nature as gentle and dignified as it had been deprived and tormented. The subject of several books, a Broadway hit, and a film, Joseph Merrick has become a part of popular mythology. Here, in this fully revised edition containing much fresh information, are the true and unromanticised facts of his life. An extraordinary and moving story, set amongst the brutal realities of the Victorian world, telling of a tragic individual and his survival against overwhelming odds.

About this title

About the Authors

Peter Ford served as a national serviceman in the Royal Artillery in Malaya. He then worked in publishing in London for twelve years before becoming a freelance writer and editor.

Michael Howell studied medicine at the University of Birmingham and served as a medical officer in the 22nd Battalion Grenadier Guards. After specializing in children's diseases, he later went into general practice, in which he continued until his death. Howell began his research into the life of Joseph Merrick with the idea of writing an article. His findings led to his collaboration wtih Peter Ford.

Edition details

• Publisher: Allison & Busby
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0749005165
• ISBN 13: 9780749005160
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240