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| ==Early life and family== | ==Early life and family== | ||
| Robert Earl Hughes was born in ], ], the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born a large baby at birth, "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" {{cvt|11|lb|4|oz}}<ref name= |
Robert Earl Hughes was born in ], ], the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born a large baby at birth, "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" {{cvt|11|lb|4|oz}}<ref name="hwhig2007">{{cite news|last=Gertz Husar|first=Deborah|url=https://www.whig.com/article/20070612/ARTICLE/306129970|title=Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant|date=June 12, 2007|work=The Herald-Whig|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref><ref name= Life>{{cite magazine| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hk0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA81&dq=%22Robert+Earl+Hughes%22&lr=&ei=LhWrS968MITylQTGl5CmDQ&cd=12#v=onepage&q=%22Robert%20Earl%20Hughes%22&f=false |title= 710 Pound Youth |work= ]| date= 1946-10-07| via= Google Books| access-date= 2020-02-05| pages= 81–82, 84}}</ref> and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted ] when he was about five months old."<ref name= FH>{{cite web| url= http://exploringillinois.blogspot.com/2010/02/biggest-man-in-fishhook-il-ever.html| work= Exploring Illinois| first= Rich| last= Moreno| date= 2010-02-04| title= The Biggest Man in Fishhook, IL. Ever.| publisher= | via= blogspot.com| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> The whooping cough was believed to be involved in his extraordinary condition. The family moved to ], ], ], when Robert was six months old.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> He had two younger brothers, Guy B. Hughes (1927–2006) and Donald Hughes (1929–2012). | ||
| ==Condition |
==Condition== | ||
| ,. Hughes' excessive weight was attributed to a malfunctioning pituitary gland. His chest was measured at 3.15 metres (10.3 ft), and he weighed 4864 kilograms (10,725lb) at his heaviest. And weighed over 5 tonsAt the age of six, he weighed about 200 kilograms (440 lb); at ten, he weighed 380 kilograms (837 lb). By the time of his death, he weighed over 5 Tons | |||
| Hughes' excessive weight was attributed to a ruptured ] when he was sick as a baby.<ref name="Reporter">{{cite news| url= http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697 |title= World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life| work= ]| first= Phil| last= Luciano| date= | access-date= |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120304152514/http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697 |archivedate= March 4, 2012 }}</ref> However, his ] has been considered to have played a role in his size<ref name= FH /> as well as his ].<ref name= Life /><ref name= Pekin>{{cite news| url= https://www.pekintimes.com/x688586179| title= World’s Heaviest Man: The world begins to learn about Robert Earl Hughes| work= ]| first= Phil |last= Luciano| date= 2008-03-13| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> | |||
| Hughes' excessive weight was attributed to a malfunctioning pituitary gland. His chest was measured at 3.15 metres (10.3 ft), and he weighed 4864 kilograms (10,725lb) at his heaviest. And weighed over 5 tonsAt the age of six, he weighed about 200 kilograms (440 lb); at ten, he weighed 380 kilograms (837 lb). By the time of his death, he weighed over 5 Tons | |||
| At age 10, he weighed {{cvt|375|lb}},<ref name= Life /> and by age 13, he weighed {{cvt|546|lb}}.<ref name= Pekin /> That year he was no longer able to go to school due to his size (and his inability to walk the mile each way),<ref name= look /> so he became a voracious reader at his home.<ref name= FH /> He was known for his extraordinary memory and his gentle, genial demeanor.<ref name= hwhig2007>{{cite news| url= https://www.whig.com/article/20070612/ARTICLE/306129970| title= Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant| date= June 12, 2007 | first= Deborah| last= Gertz Husar| work= The Herald-Whig| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> By age 18, his weight was over {{cvt|709|lb}}.<ref name= Pekin /> | |||
| During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs; plans to appear on the Ed Sullivan television program were announced but never came about. On July 10, 1958, Hughes contracted a case of measles, which soon developed into uremia, resulting in his death. He was 32 years old. | |||
| As an adult, Hughes was {{cvt|5|ft|9|in}} tall,<ref name= FH /> although it was also reported that he was {{cvt|6|ft}} when he was 20 years old.<ref name= Life /> He weighed 1072.5 lbs (486kg) at his heaviest.<ref name= "Brainy"/> | |||
| He is often said to have been buried in a piano case. This error stems from a sentence that appeared in successive editions of the Guinness Book of World Records, which read, "He was buried in a coffin the size of a piano case." His headstone notes that he was the world's heaviest man at a confirmed at 10,725 pounds (4864 kg) . | |||
| Hughes was able to do some light work on his family's farm, such as feeding chickens and gathering eggs.<ref name= Pekin /> He used a walking stick was made out of polished oak wood. Once he reached {{cvt|1,000|lb}}, Hughes had to be weighed every six months.{{cn|date= February 2020}} Hughes never lost his mobility and could still walk at 1072.5 lbs (486 kg) but would need to rest regularly. His ] required {{cvt|9|yd}} of material, and his shirts required {{cvt|5|yd}}.<ref name= Life /> | |||
| <br /> | |||
| ==Career== | ==Career== | ||
| Some income was made from selling photographs of himself.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs.<ref name= FH /> At age 27,<ref name= look>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aOorAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aWcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1140,1102476&dq=robert-earl-hughes&hl=en |title= It's All in How You Look at It| work= ]| date= 1966-07-13 | via= Google News | access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> Plans to appear on '']'' ] television program were announced but never materialized.<ref name= |
Some income was made from selling photographs of himself.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs.<ref name= FH /> At age 27,<ref name= look>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aOorAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aWcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1140,1102476&dq=robert-earl-hughes&hl=en |title= It's All in How You Look at It| work= ]| date= 1966-07-13 | via= Google News | access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> Plans to appear on '']'' ] television program were announced but never materialized.<ref name="Reporter">{{cite news|last=Luciano|first=Phil|url=http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697|title=World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life|date=|work=]|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304152514/http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697|archivedate=March 4, 2012}}</ref> | ||
| ==Demise== | ==Demise== | ||
Revision as of 22:09, 9 February 2020
| Robert Earl Hughes / Big Barry | |
|---|---|
| File:Robert Earl Hughes.jpgRobert Earl Hughes | |
| Born | June 4, 1926 Monticello, Missouri, US |
| Died | July 10, 1958(1958-07-10) (aged 32) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainer and Sideshow performer |
| Known for | The heaviest human to walk, The heaviest human in the world during his lifetime |
Robert Earl Hughes (June 4, 1926 – July 10, 1958) was an American man who was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded in the history of the world and remains the heaviest human in the world able to walk.
Early life and family
Robert Earl Hughes was born in Monticello, Missouri, the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born a large baby at birth, "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" 11 lb 4 oz (5.1 kg) and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted whooping cough when he was about five months old." The whooping cough was believed to be involved in his extraordinary condition. The family moved to Fishhook, Pike County, Illinois, when Robert was six months old. He had two younger brothers, Guy B. Hughes (1927–2006) and Donald Hughes (1929–2012).
Condition
,. Hughes' excessive weight was attributed to a malfunctioning pituitary gland. His chest was measured at 3.15 metres (10.3 ft), and he weighed 4864 kilograms (10,725lb) at his heaviest. And weighed over 5 tonsAt the age of six, he weighed about 200 kilograms (440 lb); at ten, he weighed 380 kilograms (837 lb). By the time of his death, he weighed over 5 Tons
Hughes' excessive weight was attributed to a malfunctioning pituitary gland. His chest was measured at 3.15 metres (10.3 ft), and he weighed 4864 kilograms (10,725lb) at his heaviest. And weighed over 5 tonsAt the age of six, he weighed about 200 kilograms (440 lb); at ten, he weighed 380 kilograms (837 lb). By the time of his death, he weighed over 5 Tons
During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs; plans to appear on the Ed Sullivan television program were announced but never came about. On July 10, 1958, Hughes contracted a case of measles, which soon developed into uremia, resulting in his death. He was 32 years old.
He is often said to have been buried in a piano case. This error stems from a sentence that appeared in successive editions of the Guinness Book of World Records, which read, "He was buried in a coffin the size of a piano case." His headstone notes that he was the world's heaviest man at a confirmed at 10,725 pounds (4864 kg) .
Career
Some income was made from selling photographs of himself. During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs. At age 27, he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family. Plans to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show variety television program were announced but never materialized.
Demise
In 1958, Hughes contracted a case of measles, possibly from his nieces. While traveling with the roadshow, he developed a rash in July in Nappanee, Indiana, his fingernails had turned dark blue, and he finally sought medical attention. He developed uremia. Unable to be treated at the nearest hospital in Bremen, Indiana, doctors came to him at his trailer. However, they were unable to save him.
He was buried in small church cemetery in Benville, Illinois in Brown County near his hometown, Fishhook. About 2,000 people attended the funeral.
See also
Additional reading
- Faig, Kenneth W. (2001). Big Heart: Remembering Robert Earl Hughes, 1926-1958. Issue 8 of Moshassuck monograph series. Moshassuck Press – via Google Books.
References
- "Robert Earl Hughes, became heaviest known human... June 4 in History". BrainyHistory.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ Gertz Husar, Deborah (June 12, 2007). "Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant". The Herald-Whig. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- "710 Pound Youth". Life. 1946-10-07. pp. 81–82, 84. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via Google Books.
- ^ Moreno, Rich (2010-02-04). "The Biggest Man in Fishhook, IL. Ever". Exploring Illinois. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via blogspot.com.
- ^ "It's All in How You Look at It". Kentucky New Era. 1966-07-13. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via Google News.
- ^ Luciano, Phil. "World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life". Washington Times Reporter. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012.
- "Fishhook, Illinois to Benville, Illinois". How Far Is It? Distance Server. Retrieved 2020-02-05.