Conversation so far:
When did Joseph Carey Merrick die?
He died on 11 April 1890.
What was Joseph Carey Merrick's cause of death?
Merrick's death was ruled accidental and the certified cause of death was asphyxia, caused by the weight of his head as he lay down.
Where was Joseph Carey Merrick buried?
On 5 May 2019 author Jo Vigor-Mungovin discovered that Merrick's soft tissue was buried in the City of London Cemetery.
What was Joseph Carey Merrick's legacy?
Treves, in his earlier journal articles as well as his book, insisted on calling him John Merrick. The reason for this is unclear.

Question: What did he do in his last years?
Self-contained rewrite: What did Joseph Carey Merrick do in his last years of life?