The Gnarly Man

The Gnarly Man (1939) is a science fiction short story by L. Sprague de Camp, describing the survival of an immortal neanderthal in modern society. The story was first published in the magazine Unknown in June, 1939 and has been reprinted many times.

Visiting a freak show, scientist Dr. Matilda Sandler takes an interest in the ape-man "Ungo-Bungo", who appears to exhibit genuine atavistic features. After the show she goes backstage and meets the man behind the role to ask if he will agree to be examined for scientific purposes. Ungo-Bungo, who calls himself Clarence Aloysius Gaffney, proves affable but reticent about his past and reluctant to submit to examination. In time, however, he warily consents in return for surgery to correct some old injuries.

Eventually it comes out that Gaffney is actually Shining Hawk, a Neanderthal Man over 50,000 years old, whose aging process was frozen early in life when he was struck by lightning. He had survived by his wits on the periphery of human society since the extinction of his own kind, using a succession of false identities and getting by as a blacksmith or in menial professions like his present one. He has been a witness to much of history from the margins, making little personal impact on it — though it is suggested that he may have been the original basis for the tales of the divine lame blacksmith Vulcan.

Gaffney's caution proves well-founded; not only does Sandler develop an unwelcome crush on him, but the revelation of his secret brings out the worst in some of the scientists to whom it is confided. Discovering that the surgeon who is to perform his operation secretly intends to dissect him, he skips out. Later, from an undisclosed location, he sends his apologies and regrets to those who have befriended and aided him.

Robert Wilfred Franson called the work "a good specimen of the distinct category of stories about Neanderthal Man in science fiction. "The Gnarly Man" is one of the most moving portraits ever to appear in science fiction thinking through the likely practical concerns of someone living so long.


 * The Ageless His age was frozen in a freak accident
 * Applied Phlebotinum The lightning bolt that gave him immortality
 * Contemporary Caveman He manages to survive in modern society
 * Fake Nationality He passes as an Irishman, but was actually the original progenitor of the 'black irish'
 * I Have Many Names He has survived for 50,000 years under different alias, including Shining Hawk, Ungo Bungo and Clarence Gaffney.
 * Last of His Kind The last living Neanderthal
 * Lightning Can Do Anything: Like make a Neanderthal immortal.
 * Living Relic A ancient blacksmith who inspired stories of the limping god Vulcan.
 * Mad Scientist The surgeon who attempts to dissect him
 * Older Than Dirt A 50,000 year old man.
 * Older Than He Looks He appears to be in his 40's