John Rogan
John W. Rogan | |
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Born | |
Died | September 12, 1905 | (aged 37)
Cause of death | Ankylosis |
Known for | Second tallest person in history |
Height | 8 ft 9 in (2.67m) |
John William Rogan (February 16, 1868 – September 12, 1905) was the tallest person ever until passed by Robert Wadlow.
Biography
Rogan, the son of William Rogan, a former slave, was born in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on February 16, 1868. He was the fourth of twelve children. He began to grow very rapidly at the age of 13,[1] leading to ankylosis. By 1882, he could not stand or walk at all. By 1899, he had grown to a height of 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) and often appeared in newspapers, referred to as the "negro giant". He got around on a cart he had made for himself that was pulled by goats, and he was always the center of attention, often noted for his deep voice and playful attitude. Although he was unable to perform physical labor, he made a living by selling portraits and postcards and, as noted in an 1897 article in the Kansas City Journal, had a number of his drawings published. Despite his success in this regard, he declined all offers to join the carnival and side shows. Rogan's hands measured 11.5 inches (29 cm) in length and his feet measured 13.7 inches (34 cm) in length. He grew to 8 ft 9 in (2.67m) tall but weighed only 205 pounds. He is the tallest person of African descent. Rogan remains the second-tallest person on record.
Rogan died on September 12, 1905, from complications of ankylosis.
See also
References
- ^ ListVerse.com (November 2009). The Ultimate Book of Top Ten Lists: A Mind-Boggling Collection of Fun, Fascinating and Bizarre Facts on Movies, Music, Sports, Crime, Celebrities, History, Trivia and More. Ulysses Press. p. 536. ISBN 978-1-56975-715-4.