Biography of Joseph Merrick (the elaphant man)

Mr. Joseph Merrick, aka the Elephant Man, was born on August 5th 1862, one year after the initiation of the American Civil War, in Leicestershire, Great Britain. His mother was slightly crippled but one brother, was normal. Apparently Joseph Merrick's development was also normal until about the age of two when small growths began to be noticed on his face, the first signs of a frightful disorder which would transform him into the "Elephant Man". By …

…and examination of his mouth structures that he must have spoken with a severe dysarthritic splutter. Internal structures of Mr. Merrick's - aka the Elephant Man - were no less spared. Toward the end of his life severe arthritis forced him to limp and use a walking stick for assistance. In addition, the scoliosis (curvature) of his spine revealed in surviving photographs probably would have reduced his lung capacity predisposing him to shortness of breath.