Charles Byrne
Charles Byrne , (* 1761 in Littlebridge near Derry in Ireland , † 1783 in London ) was a tall person who displayed himself under the name Charles O'Brien in London. He became known as "the Irish giant".
life and death
In 1782, at the age of 21, Byrne came to London. According to his own statements, over two and a half meters tall, he caused a sensation there. He performed at Cox's Museum , which was as famous in the 18th century as later PT Barnum's American Museum . He moved into an elegant apartment in the neighborhood. However, his show career did not last long, as he died a year later, allegedly due to excessive consumption of alcohol.
Afterlife
The anatomists wanted to get hold of the body so vehemently that the London newspapers published cartoons about it. Though Byrne had determined that after his death he would never leave his body to the anatomists - he had wanted a burial at sea - his skeleton ended up in the collection of surgeon John Hunter . To this day it is exhibited in the Royal College of Surgeons (Hunterian Museum) in London. It shows that Byrne was 231 cm tall, rather than 254 as he had claimed. As a result there were several giants who called themselves O'Brien and allegedly came from Ireland; only one, Patrick Cotter (1760–1806), managed to become as famous as his role model.
literature
- Hans Scheugl : Show Freaks & Monsters. Felix Adanos Collection . 3. Edition. DuMont Buchverlag, Cologne 1978, ISBN 3-7701-0733-0 , p. 86 with illus.
Web links
- Two pictures with the skeleton of Charles Byrne
- Detailed article with pictures, photos and clippings of contemporary newspapers (English)
- Michael Stang : SKELETON COLLECTIONS - The ethical dilemma of museums , in Deutschlandfunk - “ Research News ” from February 25, 2014
Individual evidence
- ↑ Scientists demand burial of the "Irish giant". In: FAZ.NET . December 21, 2011, accessed December 21, 2011 .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Byrne, Charles |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Irish tall man |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1761 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Littlebridge at Derry |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1783 |
| Place of death | London |