Patrick Murphy (giant) facts for kids
Patrick Murphy (born 1834, died 1862) was an Irish man who was very tall. He was sometimes called a "giant" because of his height. Patrick was born in County Down, Ireland. His parents were James and Peggy Murphy.
Patrick used his amazing height to make a living. He became famous for being so tall.
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Patrick's Early Life
Patrick Murphy first worked on the docks in Liverpool, England. Docks are places where ships load and unload goods. After that, he became a waiter in a hotel. Even then, his height made him stand out.
How His Height Became His Job
Because Patrick was so tall, people noticed him everywhere. Crowds would gather just to see him. He soon realized that his height could be more than just a curiosity. He decided to make it his job!
Patrick often said he was 8 feet 10 inches tall. Some people even claimed he was 9 feet 3 inches! However, a doctor named Virchow measured him in 1860. The doctor found Patrick to be 7 feet 3.4 inches (222 centimeters) tall. This was still very, very tall for a person!
Traveling Through Europe
Patrick Murphy became quite famous. In May 1857, the Emperor and Empress of Austria invited him to visit their country. This was a very special invitation!
He traveled around Europe, showing his great height to many people. Sadly, while he was on tour, he became ill.
His Final Years
Patrick Murphy passed away in Marseille, France. He was only twenty-eight years old. He died from a serious illness called smallpox.
