Was the elephant man foreign

Answer 1

Joseph Carey Merrick, also known as "The Elephant Man," was an Englishman. He was born in Leicester on August 5, 1862. Due to an extremely rare disorder called Proteus Syndrome, Merrick developed vast tumors and bone overgrowth over his entire body except for his left arm and genitalia. He suffered from cruel treatment in childhood and spent four bleak years in a workhouse before embarking on a career as arguably the most famous freak in history.

Working with generous managers, Merrick saved a small fortune of 50 pounds, but this was stolen by an unscrupulous manager in Belgium. Destitute, Merrick sought help from Dr. Frederick Treves, a surgeon at the London Hospital who had examined him in 1884 and presented his case to the Pathological Society. Treves arranged to give Merrick permanent refuge at the London Hospital. There, he became a favorite of Princess Alexandra and other high society figures, as well as Madge Kendal, an eminent actress. Despite his horrific appearance, Merrick was well-loved for his gentle nature and

admired for his high intelligence.

Joseph Merrick died at the age of 27 on April 11, 1890 at the London Hospital. Years later, Frederick Treves remembered him with a memoir, "The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences."