Sir Frederick Treves first showed Joseph Merrick, the famous
Elephant Man, to the Pathological Society of London in 1884. A
diagnosis of neurofibromatosis was suggested in 1909 and was
widely accepted. There is no evidence, however, of cafe au lait
spots or histological proof of neurofibromas. It is also clear
that Joseph Merrick's manifestations were much more bizarre than
those commonly seen in neurofibromatosis. Evidence indicates
that Merrick suffered from the Proteus syndrome and had the
following features compatible with this diagnosis: macrocephaly;
hyperostosis of the skull; hypertrophy of long bones; and
thickened skin and subcutaneous tissues, particularly of the
hands and feet, including plantar hyperplasia, lipomas, and
other unspecified subcutaneous masses. Queen Victoria, Queen of
England from 1837-1901, was the longest reigning monarch in
English history. She established the monarchy as a respectable
institution while it was losing its place as an important part
of the British governing system.