Edward Mordake: The Man with Two Faces and His Tragic Legend 👤👤
In the realms of medical history and folklore, Edward Mordake stands out as one of the most eerie and captivating figures—a man born in the 19th century who had a baffling and rare condition: a second face on the back of his head. Known as the «Man with Two Faces,» Mordake’s story has intrigued people for centuries, intertwining both medical facts and dark myths.
Who Was Edward Mordake? Edward Mordake is believed to have been born in England during the early 1800s, although specific details about his birth and death remain uncertain. The most widely accepted version of his story describes him as having a second, fully-formed face on the back of his head, which was said to have several unsettling characteristics.
This condition, known as craniopagus parasiticus, occurs when an incomplete body part, like a face, develops due to a parasitic twin. In Mordake’s case, the second face, while fully formed, lacked functionality—it could not see or eat. However, according to the legend, it had an eerie and unsettling presence, capable of whispering, laughing, and even crying on its own.
The Legend of the Face The second face on Mordake’s head was said to be more than just a grotesque deformity. Some versions of the story claim that it could express emotions like smiling or frowning, and could even whisper disturbing things to Mordake. These whispers were described as malevolent and sinister, tormenting him emotionally and mentally. Some stories claim the face would laugh maniacally or speak words that made Mordake feel as though he was constantly being watched by an evil force.
In other accounts, the face was silent but always present, a constant reminder of the abnormality he had to endure, adding to his immense psychological distress.
A Life of Tragedy The burden of living with two faces must have been both physically and emotionally overwhelming. Mordake reportedly lived in extreme isolation, consumed by shame and suffering due to his condition. Despite seeking medical help, no treatment could alleviate his situation, and the emotional toll was reportedly devastating.
Eventually, the story concludes in tragedy: Mordake is said to have taken his own life at a young age, unable to bear the torment any longer. Some versions of the tale suggest that Mordake requested to be cremated, ensuring the second face would be destroyed along with him. Before his death, it is said that he told doctors, «I have a face in the back of my head that never stops whispering to me,» symbolizing his relentless suffering.
The Medical Mystery: Fact or Fiction? While the supernatural elements of Mordake’s story are likely exaggerated, there is a medical basis to the condition he may have suffered from—craniopagus parasiticus. This rare condition occurs when a parasitic twin forms but doesn’t fully develop into a separate individual, sometimes resulting in the formation of a partial face or body attached to the host.
However, no solid evidence exists to confirm the supernatural qualities of Mordake’s second face, like whispering or laughing. Instead, the story has likely been embellished over time, becoming more of a legend than a medical case. The real-life condition of conjoined twins, such as Shannon and Casey Kimbro, has some parallels, as they too had a partially formed face, though it was non-functional.
A Legacy of Mystery and Tragedy Whether or not Edward Mordake truly had the second face as described, his story has left a lasting mark in both medical history and popular culture. His tale has inspired books, documentaries, and even horror films, and continues to captivate the imagination.
Mordake’s life embodies a profound human fear of being different, marked by an unchangeable condition, and the intense isolation that comes with it. His story, blending fact and myth, serves as a modern legend—one filled with eerie fascination and the tragic sadness of a man who may have never been free from the torment of his own body.
