A Garden and Statue for Joseph Merrick

Joseph Merrick lived an extraordinary life. To recognise this, Whitechapel residents together with Londoners with visible differences or disabilties aim to put up a statue of Merrick in a new city garden named after him.

Joseph loved flowers but was unable to visit the Royal London Hospital’s garden during daylight as he was surrounded by mobs each time he went into the street.

Joseph’s Garden aims to put this right by placing the new statue in the middle of a new community garden that recognises Joseph’s personal strength and dignity in the face of prejudice and ignorance.

At its heart is Joseph’s belief that we should be measured by our minds and actions and not our appearance.

“Changing Faces supports the Joseph’s Garden project and its goals. This is a great opportunity to tell Joseph’s story in a positive way and to celebrate his association with Whitechapel.”
Heather Blake
Heather BlakeCEO, Changing Faces
“Barts supports the campaign to create a garden and statue to both celebrate the life of Joseph Merrick and raise awareness about physical differences.”
Rt Jacqui Smith
Rt Jacqui SmithChair, Barts NHS Trust
“A statue and garden, where Joseph Merrick spent his final years, would be a fitting tribute to his memory and his legacy in the #East End of London.”
Rushanara Ali MP
Rushanara Ali MPBethnal Green & Bow
“The Durward Street garden and statue for Joseph Merrick will bring local and national focus to his life in Whitechapel.”
Chris Lovit
Chris LovitChair, West Durward Street Tenants and Residents Association
“As a person with a disfigurement, it is such a honour to be involved in this wonderful project supporting the memory of Joseph Merrick.”
Sylvia Mac
Sylvia MacFounder, Love Disfigure
“Joseph’s story is intertwined in the history of Whitechapel and the East End and an area of reflection and sculpture would be a fitting memorial of his life.”
Andy Coleborn
Andy ColebornTower Hamlets Community Housing
“The creation of this garden is a wonderful thing that I am sure many will enjoy and benefit from. As a relative of Joseph I wish you every success and thank you for remembering him in such a wonderful way.”
Mary MerrickMerrick family member
“I fully support the proposal to erect a statue and gardens in memory of Joseph Merrick for all to enjoy in Tower Hamlets near where Joseph lived and died.”
Jo Mungovin
Jo MungovinAuthor, 'Joseph, The Life, Times and Places of the Elephant Man'
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Location

Joseph’s Garden will be within sight of the shop where Merrick appeared in a “freak show” and the Royal London Hospital where he spent his last years.

It will be sited on land currently used by Crossrail and marked for reinstatement as a garden which will be planted with year round flowering plants and cared for by local residents.  

These photographs show the current reinstatement plans which will be replaced by Joseph’s garden and memorial.

This map shows the location and approximate boundary of Joseph’s Garden.

If I could reach from pole to pole or grasp the ocean with a span, I would be measured by the soul; 
The mind’s the standard of the Man.

Poem used by Joseph Merrick to end his letters (by Isaac Watts)

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