Elizabeth French, a woman with horns. Pen drawing.

The sitter was born at Tenterden in Kent. She had a horn-like growth at the back of her head ten inches long and several smaller stumps. The horn was not attached to her skull and caused pain if pressure was applied. She was hired by a Mr Fauks for a number of years until she broke her horn, which was bought by Sir Hans Sloane.

This information comes from the mount of an aquatint portrait of the sitter.

1 drawing : pencil and pen and ink

A woman with a horn on her head Elizabeth French.

Wellcome Collection 297i