Patrick Cotter O'Brien
Encyclopedia
Patrick Cotter O'Brien was the first of only twelve people in medical history to stand at a verified height of eight feet (2.4 m) or more. O'Brien was born in Kinsale
, County Cork
, Ireland
. His real name was Patrick Cotter and he adopted O'Brien as his stage name in the sideshow circuit
. He was also known as the Bristol Giant and the Irish Giant.
It is believed he died from the effects of the disease gigantism
.
No hearse could be found to accommodate his nine feet four inch casket encased in lead, and his remains were borne to the grave by relays of fourteen men. In his will, Cotter left £2,000 to his mother and a request that his body be entombed within twelve feet of solid rock (to prevent exhumation for scientific or medical research).
In 1972 his remains were examined and it was determined that, while alive, he stood approximately 8 feet 1 inch (246 cm) tall. This made him the tallest person ever at that time, a record that would be surpassed by the next 'eight-footer', John Rogan
, who died almost a century later. His adult weight was around 226 kg (500 lbs). Patrick Cotter's giant boots are on display in the Kinsale Museum.
An arm of Cotter's is currently preserved in the Medical Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London.
Kinsale
Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His real name was Patrick Cotter and he adopted O'Brien as his stage name in the sideshow circuit
Sideshow
In America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair or other such attraction.- Types of attractions :There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions:...
. He was also known as the Bristol Giant and the Irish Giant.
It is believed he died from the effects of the disease gigantism
Gigantism
Gigantism, also known as giantism , is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average...
.
No hearse could be found to accommodate his nine feet four inch casket encased in lead, and his remains were borne to the grave by relays of fourteen men. In his will, Cotter left £2,000 to his mother and a request that his body be entombed within twelve feet of solid rock (to prevent exhumation for scientific or medical research).
In 1972 his remains were examined and it was determined that, while alive, he stood approximately 8 feet 1 inch (246 cm) tall. This made him the tallest person ever at that time, a record that would be surpassed by the next 'eight-footer', John Rogan
John Rogan
John William "Bud" Rogan is one of 13 people in medical history to reach a height of 8 feet or more.He was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, United States, between 1865 and 1868. Rogan began to grow very rapidly at the age of 13, leading to ankylosis. Having only been able to walk on crutches, by...
, who died almost a century later. His adult weight was around 226 kg (500 lbs). Patrick Cotter's giant boots are on display in the Kinsale Museum.
An arm of Cotter's is currently preserved in the Medical Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London.
External links
- http://www.stevequayle.com/Giants/UK/UK7.html
- http://www.thetallestman.com/patrickcotter.htm