Edward Mordake, a figure shrouded in legend, captivates the imagination with tales of a man born with two faces. Allegedly an English nobleman from the 19th century, Mordake’s story claims he possessed a second face on the back of his head. This extraordinary account, while intriguing, lacks credible historical evidence and is considered an urban legend rather than a documented medical case.
The myth of Edward Mordake gained traction after appearing in a Boston Sunday Post article in 1895. It was later included in the medical text “Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine,” lending an air of authenticity to the tale. The story describes a handsome aristocrat tormented by his second face, which supposedly whispered and expressed emotions independently.
Despite its popularity, no verifiable records of Edward Mordake’s existence have been found. The tale likely stems from a combination of medical curiosities, folklore, and Victorian-era sensationalism. While rare facial deformities do occur, none match the fantastical description of Mordake’s condition.
Historical Background
The Edward Mordake story emerged in the late 19th century, reflecting medical curiosities and societal views on human deformity of the time. Scientific institutions like the Royal Society played a role in documenting unusual cases, though Mordake’s tale blurred the lines between fact and fiction.
Origins of the Edward Mordake Story
The Edward Mordake narrative first appeared in print in 1895 in a Boston Sunday Post article. The story described a man with a second face on the back of his head, dubbed a “demon face” by some accounts.
This sensational tale quickly captured public imagination. However, no credible medical records or historical evidence support Mordake’s existence.
The story gained further traction when included in the 1896 medical text “Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine” by George M. Gould and Walter L. Pyle.
19th Century Views on Human Deformity
Victorian-era society harbored a fascination with human oddities and medical anomalies. Deformities were often sensationalized in popular media and exhibited in traveling shows.
Medical professionals of the time documented unusual cases, sometimes blending fact with embellishment. This climate of curiosity and spectacle provided fertile ground for stories like Mordake’s to thrive.
Public attitudes toward physical differences ranged from fear and superstition to scientific interest. The Mordake tale likely resonated due to its blend of medical mystery and gothic horror elements.
The Role of the Royal Society
The Royal Society, founded in 1660, played a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge during the 19th century. It served as a platform for presenting and discussing unusual medical cases.
While the Society did not directly validate the Mordake story, its reputation lent credibility to medical reports of the era. Physicians often presented unusual cases to the Society for examination and discussion.
The organization’s focus on empirical evidence and scientific method contrasted with sensationalized accounts like Mordake’s. This tension between scientific rigor and public fascination with the extraordinary characterized the period.
The Legend of Edward Mordake
Edward Mordake’s tale blends medical mystery with Gothic horror, captivating audiences for over a century. The story tells of a man born with two faces, one normal and one demonic, leading to tragedy.
The Tale as Told by Hildreth
Charles Lotin Hildreth first introduced Edward Mordake in an 1895 Boston Post article. Hildreth described Mordake as a handsome young English nobleman with a disturbing secret – a second face on the back of his head. This extra face, though unable to eat or speak, could laugh and cry. It was said to torment Mordake constantly, whispering “such things as they only speak of in Hell” at night.
Mordake reportedly begged doctors to remove the face, claiming it was his “devil twin.” When medical intervention failed, he resorted to isolation. The story concludes with Mordake’s tragic suicide at age 23, leaving behind a note requesting the destruction of the “demon face” after his death.
The Demon Face Myth
The legend portrays Mordake’s second face as malevolent and sentient. It allegedly possessed its own expressions, often at odds with Mordake’s primary face. When Mordake smiled, the face would sneer. As he slept, it kept “awake and glaring.”
This demonic visage was said to tempt Mordake with “dreadful things.” Its whispers drove him to despair, suggesting evil acts and tormenting him relentlessly. The face’s supposed autonomy and malice added a supernatural element to the tale, elevating it from a mere medical oddity to a chilling narrative of inner conflict.
Cultural Impact of the Mordake Legend
Edward Mordake’s story has inspired numerous artistic works. It sparked interest in the concept of the “evil twin” in popular culture. Authors, musicians, and filmmakers have adapted the tale, each adding their own twist to the legend.
The story appeared in medical literature, blurring the line between fact and fiction. This inclusion lent credibility to the myth, allowing it to persist. Mordake’s tale continues to captivate audiences, serving as a metaphor for inner struggles and the duality of human nature.
In recent years, the legend has gained new life through social media and online forums. Debates about its authenticity have reignited interest in Mordake’s story, ensuring its place in modern folklore.
Medical Perspective
Craniofacial duplication presents complex medical challenges, requiring careful examination to distinguish between factual cases and myths. Medical professionals have documented rare instances of facial deformities, though many sensationalized stories lack scientific evidence.
Understanding Craniofacial Duplication
Craniofacial duplication, also known as diprosopus, is an extremely rare congenital disorder. It results in the partial or complete duplication of facial features. This condition occurs in approximately 1 in 180,000 to 1 in 15 million births.
The exact causes remain unclear, but researchers suspect genetic factors and issues during embryonic development play a role. In severe cases, the duplication may extend to parts of the brain, complicating treatment options.
Notable Medical Cases
While Edward Mordake’s story is likely fictional, documented cases of craniofacial duplication exist. One notable example is Lali Singh, born in India in 2008 with two faces and two brains sharing a single skull.
Another case involved Faith and Hope Howie, conjoined twins born in Australia in 2014. They had separate brains but shared a skull and facial features.
These cases highlight the range of severity in craniofacial duplication, from minor duplications to more complex presentations involving shared organs.
Distinction between Myths and Medical Conditions
Separating fact from fiction in unusual medical cases is crucial. While Edward Mordake’s tale lacks credible evidence, it has often been mistakenly included in medical literature.
Genuine cases of craniofacial duplication differ significantly from Mordake’s description. Real instances involve facial duplications on the same side of the head, not on opposite sides as in Mordake’s story.
Medical professionals emphasize the importance of relying on peer-reviewed research and documented cases when studying rare conditions. This approach helps prevent the spread of misinformation and ensures proper understanding of genuine medical anomalies.
Edward Mordake in Popular Culture
Edward Mordake’s enigmatic tale has captivated the public imagination, inspiring numerous creative works across different media. His story has been adapted and referenced in film, television, literature, and music, cementing his place in popular culture as a figure of intrigue and fascination.
Film and Television
Mordake’s story has found its way into visual media, most notably in the television series “American Horror Story: Freak Show.” The show featured a character based on Mordake, portrayed by Wes Bentley. This adaptation brought renewed attention to the legend, introducing it to a wider audience.
Other television programs have referenced Mordake’s tale in episodes exploring unusual medical conditions or urban legends. Documentaries and paranormal investigation shows have also covered his story, often blending fact and fiction to create compelling narratives.
Literature and Music
Mordake’s legend has inspired various literary works. His story appears in medical texts and books on unusual phenomena, often presented as a factual case study. Some authors have incorporated elements of Mordake’s tale into fiction, using it as a basis for horror stories or gothic novels.
In music, Tom Waits wrote a song titled “Poor Edward” based on Mordake’s life. The haunting lyrics capture the tragedy and isolation of the legendary figure, further popularizing his story among music enthusiasts.
Public Fascination
The Boston Sunday Post’s 1895 article about Mordake sparked initial public interest in his story. Since then, Mordake has become a staple of “weird news” compilations and lists of medical oddities. Online forums and social media platforms frequently share his tale, often accompanied by artistic renderings of his supposed appearance.
Museums of oddities and curiosities sometimes feature exhibits related to Mordake, further fueling public fascination. Despite evidence suggesting Mordake’s story is fictional, it continues to captivate audiences, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the unusual and unexplained in popular culture.
Investigating the Truth
Edward Mordake’s tale has captivated imaginations for over a century. Separating fact from fiction requires examining historical records, literary sources, and medical evidence.
Assessing Historical Evidence
No concrete historical evidence supports Edward Mordake’s existence. Birth records, medical journals, and aristocratic lineages from 19th century England lack any mention of a two-faced nobleman. The English peerage, typically well-documented, contains no references to Mordake or similar cases.
Newspapers of the era, including the Boston Sunday Post, occasionally published sensational stories with dubious credibility. The 1895 Post article introducing Mordake to the public falls into this category. Its claims remain unverified by reputable sources.
Scrutinizing Literary Sources
Charles Lotin Hildreth, a poet and fiction writer, is credited with first describing Mordake in print. His account appeared in a series of articles titled “Anomalies” in the Boston Post. Hildreth’s writing style blended fact and fiction, casting doubt on Mordake’s story.
Later medical texts, like “Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine,” republished Hildreth’s account without additional verification. This repetition in seemingly authoritative sources lent unwarranted credibility to the tale.
Confirming the Existence of Edward Mordake
Modern fact-checking efforts have failed to substantiate Mordake’s existence. No medical records or photographs corroborate the extraordinary claims. The described condition – a fully formed second face capable of independent expression – has no known scientific basis.
Genetic experts suggest such a severe deformity would likely be incompatible with life. While rare congenital disorders can cause facial abnormalities, none match the fantastical description of Mordake’s second face.
The lack of verifiable evidence, combined with the story’s origins in sensationalist literature, strongly suggests Edward Mordake is a fictional creation rather than a historical figure.
Psychological and Social Implications
Edward Mordake’s alleged condition would have had profound effects on his mental state and social interactions. The presence of a second face would have shaped how others perceived and treated him, as well as his own self-image and coping mechanisms.
Stigma and Superstition
In 19th century England, physical anomalies often faced severe stigma. Mordake, despite his noble birth, likely encountered fear and superstition from those around him. Many might have viewed his condition as a sign of evil or demonic possession. This stigma could have led to:
• Social isolation
• Difficulty forming relationships
• Exclusion from public events
Mordake reportedly lived in “complete seclusion,” suggesting he may have withdrawn from society to avoid negative reactions. The peerage he was born into likely provided some protection, but also heightened public interest in his condition.
Perception of Physical Anomalies
Victorian-era attitudes toward physical differences were often cruel and dehumanizing. People with unusual appearances were sometimes displayed as “human freaks” in sideshows and circuses. Mordake’s aristocratic status may have shielded him from this fate, but not from:
• Unwanted stares and gossip
• Sensationalized media coverage
• Loss of privacy
The perceived “evil” nature of his second face likely intensified negative perceptions. This constant scrutiny and judgment would have taken a significant psychological toll.
Coping and Understanding
Mordake’s reported “melancholy” suggests he struggled to cope with his condition. Living with a face that allegedly whispered “terrible things” would be psychologically devastating. He may have grappled with:
• Identity issues
• Depression and anxiety
• Feelings of isolation
Without modern medical knowledge, Mordake lacked a scientific explanation for his condition. This lack of understanding likely compounded his distress. His repeated pleas for doctors to remove the second face indicate a desperate search for relief from his unique burden.
Conclusion
Edward Mordake’s story remains a fascinating urban legend. Despite its fictional origins, the tale continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The account of a man with two faces has become deeply ingrained in popular culture.
Mordake’s legacy extends beyond the original 1895 Boston Post article. His story has inspired numerous artistic works, including music, literature, and television. The enduring interest in his tale reflects society’s ongoing fascination with medical anomalies and the unusual.
Modern understanding of Mordake’s condition reveals it to be medically implausible. However, the story serves as a reminder of the power of folklore and urban legends. It demonstrates how fictional accounts can take on a life of their own in the public imagination.
The Mordake legend also highlights the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking. In an age of widespread misinformation, separating fact from fiction remains crucial. While Mordake’s story may not be true, it continues to spark discussions about medical ethics, human empathy, and the nature of consciousness.