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| Joseph Merrick, 1889 Royal London Hospital Archives |
August 5, 1862 - Leicester, England - Joseph Carey Merrick is born
May 1(?), 1864 - Leicester - Joseph begins to change. Swellings developed on his lips. A bony lump appeared on his forehead, and his skin began to roughen, becoming loose. His feet became bigger and later, a size difference between his left and right arms became noticeable
January(?) 1(?), 1868 - Leicester - Joseph's skin is noted as being "thick, lumpy skin...like that of an elephant, and almost the same colour"
May 29, 1873 - Leicester - Joseph's mother, Mary Jane Merrick, dies of bronchopneumonia. His father, Joseph Rockley Merrick, moves with his two children to live with Emma Wood Antill, a widow with children of her own
December 3, 1874 - Leicester - Joseph Rockley Merrick marries Emma Wood Antill
January(?) 1(?), 1875 - Leicester - At 13, Joseph finds work rolling cigars at Messrs. Freeman Cigar factory
January(?) 1(?), 1877 - Leicester - Joseph begins working as a door-to-door salesman. On returning home one day, Joseph is severely beaten by his father and leaves home for good
January(?) 1(?), 1878 - Leicester - After 3 years, his right hand deformity had worsened and he no longer had the dexterity required to roll cigars
December 29, 1879 - Leicester - 17-year old Merrick meets with William Cartwright, administrator of the Leicester Union Workhouse, and is admitted =(START)
March 22, 1880 - Leicester - Only 12 weeks after entering the workhouse, Merrick signs himself out of the workhouse and spends the next two days looking for work.
March 25, 1880 - Leicester - Joseph has no option but to return to the workhouse
June(?) 1(?), 1882 - Leicester - Merrick undergoes surgery at the workhouse infirmary to remove a fleshy protuberance from his upper lip.
July(?) 1(?), 1884 - Leicester - Merrick contacts a showman named Sam Torr and proposes that Torr should exhibit him
July 29, 1884 - Leicester - Merrick's last day at the workhouse
August 3, 1884 - Leicester - Merrick departs the workhouse to start his new career
August(?) 10(?), 1884 - East Midlands (Leicester, Nottingham) - Torr shows Merrick as the "Elephant man" around the East Midlands
November(?) 1(?), 1884 - Whitechapel, London - Torr moves the "Elephant Man" on to London for the winter season
November 5(?), 1884 - Whitechapel, London - Dr.Frederick Treves meets Joseph Merrick at a private viewing, before Norman opens the shop
December 2, 1884 - Bloomsbury, London - Dr.Treves presents Merrick at a meeting of the Pathological Society of London
January(?) 1(?), 1885 - ? - Merrick goes on the road with Sam Roper's travelling fair
March 17, 1885 - (While in continental Europe?) - In England, Treves makes his second presentation to the London Pathological Society (without Merrick's presence)
June 21(?), 1886 - Brussels, Belgium - Merrick is deserted by his new manager, Mr Ferrari, who steals Merrick's £50
June 22(?), 1886 - Ostend, Belgium - Merrick makes his way to Ostend by train. He is refused passage in a ferry to London because of his appearance
June 23, 1886 - Antwerp | Harwich - Merrick travels to Antwerp and is able to board the "SS Norwich" bound to Harwich, Essex. At Harwich he takes a train to London
June 24, 1886 - London - Merrick arrives at Liverpool Street Station, London. He starts being mobbed and is protected by the police. Merrick shows Dr.Treves's card to the policemen, who make contact with him. Dr.Treves arrives and manages to take a frightened and exhausted Merrick in a carriage to London's Hospital. He falls asleep on the short trip, relieved with Dr.Treves's protection.
July(?) 1(?), 1886 - Whitechapel, London - Merrick is admitted at the Royal London Hospital
October(?) 1(?), 1886(?) - Whitechapel, London - Dr.Treves arranges a meeting between Joseph and Mrs.Leila Maturin, a "young, pretty widow". Forewarned about Joseph's looks, Mrs. Maturin smiled at him and shook his hand. Joseph was soon in tears (Date needed)
November 30, 1886 - Whitechapel, London - The "Times" newspaper prints a letter from Francis Carr Gomm, Chairman of the London Hospital, describing Joseph's history and situation. He also asks readers for their suggestions about where to accomodate him
January(?) 1(?), 1887 - Whitechapel, London - In response to Carr Gomm's letter, many donors and their financial support make it possible for Francis Carr Gomm to suggest that Joseph Merrick could be allowed to remain in the hospital for the remainder of his natural life
May 21, 1887 - Whitechapel, London - Merrick is visited by the Princes of Wales during the official opening of two new buildings at the Hospital. Princess Alexandra shakes Merrick's hand and seats with him. An experience that leaves him overjoyed.
August(?) 1(?), 1887 - Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire - Visit to Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire (summer of 1887)
December 25, 1887 - Whitechapel, London - Christmas in London's Hospital
December 26, 1887 - Royal Theatre, Drury Lane, London - Dr.Treves and Madge Kendal take Merrick to the Royal Theatre in Drury Lane, to see the Christmas pantomime, "Puss in Boots". Wisely concluded in the private box of a generous aristocrat, Joseph was "awed and enthralled" by the performance
August(?) 1(?), 1888 - Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire - Visit to Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire
August(?) 1(?), 1889 - Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire - Visit to Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire
October 7, 1889 - Whitechapel, London - Letter to Leila Maturin
April 6, 1890 - Whitechapel, London - Merrick attends both Easter services at the London Hospital Chapel
April 11, 1890 - Whitechapel, London - Joseph Carey Merrick always expressed to Dr.Treves his desire of sleeping like every person, laying in his back. However the attempt causes his death from asphyxia due to the weight of his head, aged 27. =(END)
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