The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences

"The Elephant Man and Other Reminisces" (1923) by Sir Frederick Treves is most famous for the title essay and this is indeed a memorable piece. It was Treves himself who found the terribly disfigured John Merrick living in the most deplorable conditions and being displayed as "The Elephant Man" by an unscrupulous showman. 

In the event Treves rescued Merrick and was responsible for the generally happy life that the latter had for the final five years of his life. Many interesting books have since been written about this unfortunate man but the account by Treves remains a moving and powerful work.

But this is only the first of twelve chapters, each devoted to a different reminiscence from the Doctor' s career. Taken as a whole, they present a wide spectrum of Victorian and Edwardian life.