Merrick of Mile End

Joseph Merrick was exhibited here in the back of an empty shop

Location: Mile End Road, E14

Description: Joseph Carey Merrick (5 August 1862–11 April 1890), known as The Elephant Man, gained the sympathy of Victorian era Britain because of the extreme deformity of his body.

Joseph was unemployable for the better part of his life. On August 29, 1884, he took a job as a sideshow attraction where he was treated decently and made a large sum for the time.

At one point during his sideshow career, Merrick was exhibited in the back of an empty shop on Mile End Road in London, where he was seen by the physician Frederick Treves.

Merrick's preserved skeleton was previously on display at the Royal London Hospital. While his remains can no longer be seen by the public, there is a small museum mostly centred around his life and has a few items from his past.

Themes: Quirky Quirky Theme