Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Edward Mordake
Aug 16, 2023
Discover the bizarre tale of Edward Mordake, a man with a second face on his head that whispered tormenting thoughts. Explore how this haunting story evolved from sensational media to a medical curiosity, blurring the lines between myth and reality. Uncover intriguing insights into rare congenital anomalies and witness the cultural responses to such unique cases. The episode highlights the importance of critical thinking in a world flooded with misinformation, urging us to look beyond sensationalism.
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Edward Mordake's Story
- Charles Hildreth wrote an article for the Boston Sunday Post in 1895 about Edward Mordake.
- The article described Mordake as having a second, evil face on the back of his head.
Fictional Origins
- Hildreth's article, published in a newspaper similar to the National Enquirer, was entirely fabricated.
- Hildreth himself was a science fiction writer, and the Royal Scientific Society he cited was non-existent.
Medical Misinformation
- An 1896 medical book mistakenly legitimized the Mordake story by including it as fact.
- This book, citing exhaustive research, copied Hildreth's account verbatim, furthering the myth.
