Buzz
Long before the era of the Bible, humans have shared fascinating stories about giants. The rarity of encountering a genuine giant has cemented their place in myths and legends. However, with advancements in documentation and photography, we now have the privilege of witnessing real-life giants. Here’s a curated list of the top 10, arranged from the shortest to the tallest.
In ancient times, giants roamed the earth. When the sons of God united with the daughters of men, they bore children who became the legendary heroes of old, renowned for their greatness. Genesis 6:4
10. Bernard Coyne 8’2″
Born in 1897 in Iowa, USA, Coyne stood at an impressive 8 feet tall, as noted on his 1918 World War I draft card. According to the Guinness Book of Records, his extraordinary height led to his rejection from military service. By the time of his death in 1921, it is believed he may have grown to 8 feet 4 inches. He passed away due to liver complications and a glandular disorder and was laid to rest in his hometown in a custom-built oversized coffin.
9. Väinö Myllyrinne 8’3″
Myllyrinne, born in Finland in 1909, once held the title of the world’s tallest man. At 21, he measured 7 feet inches and weighed 31 stone. He underwent another growth spurt, reaching his ultimate height of 8 feet 3 inches. Recognized as the tallest soldier in history, he served in the Finnish army before his death in 1963.
8. Edouard Beaupré 8’3″
Born in 1881 in Canada, Edouard Beaupré was a celebrated circus performer, strongman, and a star attraction in Barnum and Bailey’s shows. The eldest of 20 siblings, he started life at an average height but grew to 6 feet by the age of nine. His death certificate recorded his height as 8’3″, with evidence suggesting he was still growing. Known for his incredible strength, his signature act involved lifting a horse onto his shoulders, reportedly handling weights of up to 900 pounds. He passed away in 1904 due to tuberculosis.
7. Ella Ewing 8’4″
Ella Ewing, born in Missouri in 1872, earned the nickname ‘Missouri Giant.’ Her growth was typical until she turned seven, after which she experienced a rapid increase in height. Due to inconsistent records, her exact maximum height remains debated, and she is not featured in the Guinness Book of Records. She spent her life touring as a sideshow attraction until her death from tuberculosis in 1913.
6. Al Tomaini 8’4.5″
Al Tomaini, a towering figure who claimed to stand at 8’4″ (though the Guinness Book of Records listed him as 7’4″), weighed 356 pounds and wore size 27 shoes. He spent much of his life as a circus giant. In 1936, while performing at the Great Lakes Exposition in Chicago, he met his future wife, Jeanie Tomaini, who was born without legs and stood just 2 feet 6 inches tall. After retiring from the circus, the couple settled in Giant’s Camp, a circus community in Gibsonton, Florida.
5. Leonid Stadnyk 8’5″
Leonid Stadnyk, born in 1971 in Ukraine, is a certified veterinary surgeon who resides with his mother. Recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s tallest living person, his health has reportedly declined, requiring him to rely on trees and the walls of his home for support while walking. A group of Ukrainian entrepreneurs gifted him a satellite dish and a computer, enabling him to access the internet.
4. John F Carroll 8’7″
John Carroll, born in 1932 in Buffalo, New York, was famously known as the Buffalo Giant. Despite undergoing extensive medical treatments, he experienced an extraordinary growth spurt, adding seven inches to his height in just a few months. At the time of his death in 1969, his exact height was not recorded, but estimates suggest he was nearly nine feet tall.
3. Robert Wadlow 8′ 11.1″
Robert Wadlow holds the title of the tallest man in history, with his height confirmed by undeniable evidence. Known as the Alton Giant due to his origins in Alton, Illinois, he weighed 440 pounds at the time of his death and showed no signs of ceasing to grow. Born in 1918 as the eldest of five siblings, he passed away at 22 from an infection caused by a blister on his ankle, sustained during a professional appearance at the National Forest Festival. His coffin, weighing half a ton, required 12 pallbearers, and he was interred in a solid concrete vault to prevent interference by curious onlookers.
Notable Extras: Gabriel Estêvão Monjane 8’1″, Zeng Jinlian 8’1.75″
2. Johan Aason 8′ 9-1/4″
Johan was born in the United States the same year his mother relocated from Norway. He narrowly surpasses John Rogan for the second position on this list by just a quarter of an inch. Notably, his mother was also a giant, standing at 7’2″. His death certificate from Mendocino State Hospital indicates he was 9’2″ at the time of his passing—if accurate, this would make him the tallest recorded human, exceeding the height of the top entry by 3 inches. He is buried in Montana.
1. John Rogan 8’9″
John Rogan, born in 1868, experienced normal growth until he turned 13. His height was officially documented only after his death, revealing he stood at 8’9″. Afflicted by illness, he weighed a mere 175 pounds. He holds the distinction of being the tallest African American in history. He passed away in 1905 due to complications from his condition.
