Tragic as the life of Joseph Merrick was, Sir Frederick Treves' compassion for and friendship with the Elephant Man is to be celebrated. Though the doctor's studies couldn't cure his patient, the time that Treves spent with him revealed a side of Merrick that had been hidden away. The Elephant Man's intellect, joy in the little things, and positive attitude despite his challenges were a triumph of humanity. This text is reprinted from Treves' 1923 book, The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences. The newspaper articles that follow share additional details of Merrick's life and death.

John Merrick had lived for more than twenty years imprisoned in a body that condemned him to a miserable life in the workhouse and to humiliation as a circus sideshow freak. But beneath that tragic exterior, within that enormous and deformed head, thrived the soul of a poet, the heart of a dreamer, the longings of a man. Merrick was doomed to suffer forever—until the kind Dr. Treves gave him the first real home in the London Hospital and the town's most beautiful and esteemed actress made possible Merrick's cherished dream of human contact—and love.

Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, was a 19th century Englishman who suffered disfigurement from an extremely rare disorder, which is believed to be Proteus Syndrome. Though his physical and mental suffering was great, he remained courageous. 'Measured by the Soul, ' is lavishly illustrated with never-seen-before photographs of Joseph's life and Victorian times. This book also features interviews with modern patients who live with Proteus Syndrome, as well as exciting news from Dr. Leslie Biesecker of the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Thanks to Dr. Biesecker's research, there is hope for new treatment of Proteus Syndrome and its ultimate cure. Proceeds from this book will benefit Proteus Syndrome treatment and research.

Charts the extraordinary career of the doctor who treated the Elephant Man, helped found the British Red Cross Society, was the most famous surgeon of his time and became a best-selling author of travel books and autobiography.