Edward Mordrake, often called the ‘man with two faces’, was reportedly a 19th century heir to an English peerage. According to legend, he had an extra face on the back of his head, which could not eat or speak, but could laugh and cry.
Edward is said to have begged doctors to remove his ‘demon head’ because it whispered sinister things to him at night, but no doctor would attempt the risky procedure. The story ends with Mordrake committing suicide at the age of 23.
He was said to be the heir to one of the noblest peerages in England. However, he never claimed the title.
He reportedly lived in complete seclusion, even refusing visits from his own family. His case was incredibly strange, and he believed the best way to live his life was to stay away from the public.
The origin of the legend
The story of Edward Mordrake first gained widespread attention in the late 19th century. The main source of the story is an entry in the 1896 book “Anomalies and curiosities of medicine”, written by George M. Gould and Walter L. Pyle.
They described Mordrake’s condition as one of the most severe deformities ever recorded, highlighting the peculiarity of having two faces on either side of one head.
The book presented the story as a factual case study, adding to the legend’s credibility.
Excerpt from a book:
‘He was a young man of good achievements, a profound scholar and a musician of rare skills. His figure was remarkable for its grace, and his face—that is, his natural face—was that of an Antinous.
‘But on the back of his head was another face, that of a beautiful girl, ‘beautiful as a dream, hideous as a devil.’ The woman’s face was merely a mask, “occupying but a small portion of the hindmost part of the skull, yet showing every sign of intelligence, of a malignant kind, however.” He would be seen smiling and grinning as Mordake cried.
“The eyes followed the movements of the spectator, and the lips “would babble without ceasing.” No voice could be heard, but Mordake claims he was kept awake at night by the hateful whispers of his “devilish twin brother,” as he called it, “who never sleeps, but talks to me forever about things she just saying. from hell.
‘No imagination can imagine the terrible temptations she has to offer me. Because of some unforgivable wickedness of my forefathers, I am associated with this devil – for an enemy he certainly is. I beg and implore you to crush it from human appearance, even if I die for it. Such were the words of the unfortunate Mordake to Manvers and Treadwell, his physicians.
“Despite careful surveillance, he managed to obtain poison, from which he died, leaving a letter requesting that the ‘demon face’ be destroyed before his burial, ‘that it might continue its terrible whispering in my grave.’ At his own request he was buried in a deserted place, without stone or legend to mark his grave.
Culture
The story of Edward Mordrake has been perpetuated and embellished over time, especially through its portrayal in various media. The television series “American Horror Story: Freak Show” featured a character based on Mordrake, introducing the legend to a new generation and cementing its place in popular culture.
This dramatized portrayal, while not historically accurate, emphasizes the ongoing intrigue surrounding Mordrake’s story.
Tom Waits also contributed to the legend’s cultural footprint with his song “Poor Edward,” which appears on his album “Alice.” The song tells the tragic story of Mordrake, further popularizing the myth.
Medical abnormalities and the question of authenticity
From a medical perspective, the condition attributed to Edward Mordrake resembles a rare congenital condition known as diprosopus or craniofacial duplication. Diprosopus involves the duplication of facial features and is extremely rare.
Most cases result in severe deformities and are usually fatal shortly after birth. The detailed description of Mordrake’s secondary face, which could reportedly smile, grin and whisper, pushes the boundaries of known medical science. There are no documented cases of a fully functional second sight with the capabilities described in Mordrake’s story.
Despite its detailed nature, the authenticity of Edward Mordrake’s story remains highly questionable. There are no verified medical records or historical documents confirming his existence.
Researchers to argue that the story is a product of the era’s fascination with medical oddities and the public’s appetite for sensational stories. The lack of concrete evidence, such as birth or death certificates, medical reports, or credible eyewitness accounts, casts great doubt on the veracity of the legend.
