Myrtle Corbin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Myrtle Corbin
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Myrtle Corbin as a young girl, in 1882
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| Born |
Josephine Myrtle Corbin
May 12, 1868 |
| Died | May 6, 1928 (aged 59) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | the four-legged woman |
| Height | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Spouse(s) | James Clinton Bicknell |
| Children | 5 |
Josephine Myrtle Corbin (born May 12, 1868 – died May 6, 1928) was an American performer. She was born with a very rare condition that meant she had two separate pelvises from her waist down. This gave her four legs. She had two regular outer legs and two smaller inner legs. She could move her inner legs, but they were not strong enough for her to walk on.
Early Life
Myrtle Corbin was born in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Her parents were William H. Corbin and Nancy Corbin. Her father was 25 years old when she was born, and her mother was 34. Doctors who examined Myrtle after her birth noted that her parents looked very much alike. They both had red-brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. The doctors even mentioned that they were not related by blood.
Myrtle's birth was normal, according to her mother. Doctors said that if she had been born feet-first, it could have been dangerous for her and her mother. Myrtle was a strong baby. She weighed 10 pounds just three weeks after she was born. Reports from that time said she was "nursing healthily" and "thriving well."
Career as a Performer
Myrtle Corbin started performing in sideshows when she was 13 years old. She was known as the "Four-Legged Girl from Texas." One of her early advertisements described her as being "gentle of disposition as the summer sunshine and as happy as the day is long."
She became very popular. Other showmen even tried to create fake "four-legged women" because of her fame. Even when Myrtle stopped performing, audiences could still find other performers pretending to have four legs.
Her Unique Condition
Doctors and scientists in the 1800s studied Myrtle's unique body. They used different scientific terms to describe her condition. These terms were very complex, but they all tried to explain how her body developed with two separate lower halves.
Personal Life
When Myrtle was 19, she married James Clinton Bicknell. Together, they had five children: four daughters and one son.
Death
Myrtle Corbin passed away in Cleburne, Texas, on May 6, 1928. To prevent anyone from disturbing her body, her casket was covered in concrete. Her family members watched over it until the concrete was completely dry. This was done because some medical professionals and collectors had offered money for her body.
Gallery
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An old poster showing Myrtle Corbin, made between 1871 and 1881
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Myrtle Corbin in 1882
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Myrtle Corbin with her husband and daughter later in her life
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See also
In Spanish: Myrtle Corbin para niños
