Clifford Marshall Thompson (October 18, 1904 – October 15, 1955) was one of the world's tallest men.

Although born in Rugby, North Dakota

Rugby, North Dakota

Rugby is a city in Pierce County, North Dakota in the United States. It is the county seat of Pierce County. The population was 2,876 at the 2010 census. Rugby was founded in 1886.Rugby is often billed as being the geographic center of North America....

, as a child Thompson moved with his parents to Scandinavia, Wisconsin

Scandinavia, Wisconsin

Scandinavia is a village in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 349 at the 2000 census. The village president is Lee Nielsen Johnson.-Geography:Scandinavia is located at ....

. He claimed to be 8 feet, 7 inches (2.62 m) and weigh 460 pounds (207 kg), but his actual height was about 7 feet, 5 inches (2.26 m). He was known as "The Scandinavian Giant," "The Wisconsin Paul Bunyan," and "Count Olaf". He later enrolled in Marquette University

Marquette University

Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...

 and earned a law degree.

A biography of Robert Pershing Wadlow recites that Thompson made a challenge to Wadlow to come to his hometown to prove that Robert was just 'another faker'. When both men walked on stage, Wadlow held out his arm and Thompson was easily under it. To which Wadlow replied "When you grow up you will be an awfully big boy."