Stuff You Should Know – Short Stuff: Edward Mordake

Intro

In this episode of the “Short Stuff” podcast, hosts Josh and Chuck delve into the intriguing story of Edward Mordake. Edward Mordake was a man who had a rare congenital defect, with a second face on the back of his head that would speak to him. The hosts explore the origins of this story and its impact as an urban legend.

Main Takeaways

The Story of Edward Mordake

• Edward Mordake had a second face on the back of his head that would speak to him.
• Mordake was a handsome, talented young man but was tormented by the evil twin face that only he could hear.
• Mordake asked doctors to remove the face, even if it meant he would die, and eventually took his own life at age 23.
• The story of Edward Mordake was published in a 1895 article in the Boston Sunday Post.
• The article was later revealed to be made up by science fiction writer Charles Loughton Hildrith.

Urban Legend and Pop Culture

• The story of Edward Mordake has become a popular urban legend and has been retold in various forms, including in music and literature.
• The story was originally written by Hildreth and published by American doctors as fact in an actual book.
• It highlights the problem of misinformation online, as the story was spread on Facebook.

Rare Congenital Defects

• There are rare congenital defects where people can have a face on their head, like two faces, called craniofacial duplication or diprosopus.
• There have been fewer than 50 cases of this defect worldwide since 1864, and most of those were stillborn.
• There have been cases of conjoined twins attached to the back of a surviving twin’s head, which is considered parasitic and can be deadly.
• At least three people, including Minarma GED, have had their parasitic twin removed and survived.

Summary

The Story of Edward Mordake

Edward Mordake was a man with a rare congenital defect, having a second face on the back of his head. This face would speak to him, tormenting him with its presence. Mordake, despite his handsome appearance and talent, was unable to bear the psychological burden and sought medical intervention. He pleaded with doctors to remove the face, even if it meant risking his own life. Tragically, Mordake ultimately took his own life at the young age of 23. The story of Edward Mordake was published in a 1895 article in the Boston Sunday Post, but it was later revealed to be a fabrication by science fiction writer Charles Loughton Hildrith.

Urban Legend and Pop Culture

The story of Edward Mordake has become a widely known urban legend, capturing the imagination of many. It has been retold in various forms, including music and literature. The tale’s enduring popularity highlights the power of urban legends to captivate and intrigue audiences. Additionally, the spread of the Mordake story on Facebook underscores the prevalence of misinformation online and the need for critical thinking when consuming content.

Rare Congenital Defects

Craniofacial duplication, or diprosopus, is an extremely rare congenital defect where individuals can have two faces. Since 1864, there have been fewer than 50 documented cases worldwide, most of which resulted in stillbirth. In some instances, conjoined twins may be attached to the back of a surviving twin’s head, a condition considered parasitic and potentially fatal. However, there have been cases where the parasitic twin was successfully removed, allowing the surviving twin to live.

Conclusion

The story of Edward Mordake continues to captivate audiences as an urban legend, despite its origins as a fictional tale. It serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the enduring fascination with the unusual and macabre. Furthermore, the prevalence of misinformation online, as exemplified by the spread of the Mordake story on social media, underscores the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in the digital age.