Joseph Merrick, known as "The Elephant Man," was born in 1862 in Leicester, England, with a rare and severe medical condition that caused grotesque physical deformities. Over time, his condition worsened, distorting his body and face in ways that made it almost unrecognizable. As a child, Merrick’s deformities were so pronounced that he was often ridiculed and ostracized. People in his community reacted with fear and disgust rather than empathy, making him an outcast in a world that valued confo

The incredible and heartbreaking story of Leicester's Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man. | Leicestershire Live

Joseph Merrick. The Elephant Man. Just before the Ripper murders a man by the name of Joseph Merrick was exhibited in a penny Gaff shop in the heart of Whitechapel opposite the Royal London Hospital. He became known as the ‘Elephant Man’. Here is the location of where Joseph was seen by the world and more importantly Dr Frederick Treves who invited him to stay eventually at the hospital, opposite here in this clip, for the rest of his life… #london #theelephantman #history | The Jack the Ripper