The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity

The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity, by ASHLEY MONTAGU, London, Allison & Busby, 1972, pp. x, 140, illus., £2.10. This book gives a vivid account of the life of John Merrick, better known as 'the Elephant Man'. It was Sir Frederick Treves, the well-known London Hospital Surgeon, who discovered Merrick in a 'peep-show' in Whitechapel. Treves befriended him and he was eventually able to live for a period tucked away in a small room in the hospital. Treves' description of his medical condition is well known and his skeleton and other illustrations can be found in the museum at The London today. Less well known, however, are the tragic circumstances of his life. These Ashley Montagu describes movingly in the early sections. The rest of the book is concerned with two other main topics: the effect of the circumstances of his life on Merrick's character, and a description of his physical disorder. The latter is also documented by a number of photographs and appendices with extracts from Frederick Treves' scientific papers about Merrick. There is thus something in the book's contents to appeal to a wide range of readers. This most unusual case has already raised much medical and historical interest, and will continue to do so.