S4 Ep 4. Joseph Merrick - The Elephant Man - AHS Freak Show
Blue Murder Club · Carol Whiffen, Lauren Strutt
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (sphinx.acast.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
This week's case is based on AHS Season 4, Freak Show and we have chosen to cover the life of Joseph Merrick, stage name The Elephant Man. As a child Joseph was a happy if somewhat shy little boy who was extremely close with his mother. However as he grew he started to show signs of physical deformities, starting with a small growth on his forehead. Over the years the growth became so big that he started to wear a sack over his head as the very sight of him would instil fear and terror into those whose saw him. Eventually his whole body would be consumed with skin and bone abnormalities which left the young man with very few options and following the death of his beloved mother he had no option other than the workhouse. These places were notoriously grim and were no more than a last choice before living on the streets and begging. He lived here for a number of years until one day he heard of a travelling show where he could earn good money exhibiting himself. Thus followed years of living with the showmen and fellow performers, in various freak shows and exhibitions where he could finally live an independent life.
Sadly his conditions would take over to the point where he moved in with a physician, Sir Frederick Treves, at the London Hospital. Here he was introduced to London high society and even had a trip to the theatre. His life ended tragically early and he was discovered dead from asphyxiation, caused by the weight of his head as he lay down, and a dislocated neck at the age of 27.
Please kindly give the show a rating or review on your chosen podcast platform as it really helps the podcast to reach new ears!
https://linktr.ee/bluemurderclub
Support BMC on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/Bluemurderclub
Follow BMC on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bluemurderclub
Follow BMC on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/BlueMClub
Follow BMC on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/BluemurderClub
Written and Presented by Lauren Strutt and Carol Whiffen
Contact us at [email protected]
Photography by Jessica George
Artwork by Stu Whiffen
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.