John William Rogan, often known as “Bud,” holds a significant place in history as the second tallest person ever recorded. While Robert Wadlow eventually surpassed him, Rogan remains an intriguing figure, especially when considering the mysteries surrounding his exact John Rogan Height. This article delves into the details of Rogan’s life, his extraordinary stature, and the challenges in definitively confirming his true height.
Born around 1867 and passing away in 1905, Bud Rogan’s recorded height reached an astounding 267 cm (8 ft 9 in). This measurement firmly establishes him as the second-tallest individual in recorded history and the tallest person of African descent. However, the story of John Rogan’s height is more complex than a simple number. Due to a condition that left him unable to stand, his height was determined through seated measurements, leaving his true standing height an unconfirmed aspect of his remarkable story.
Image: John Rogan, also known as Bud Rogan, seated for height measurement.
Early Life and the Onset of Gigantism
Bud Rogan’s life began in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA. He was born into a large family as the fourth of twelve children to William Rogan, a former slave. The Rogan family history traces back to Rogana, a farm established in the late 1790s. Around the age of 13, Rogan experienced a dramatic growth spurt, a hallmark of gigantism. This condition, caused by excessive growth hormone, propelled him to extraordinary heights, and in Rogan’s case, his growth never ceased.
This relentless growth led to a severe condition called ankylosis. His knee joints fused, rendering him unable to walk or stand. Despite this significant physical challenge, Bud Rogan found ways to navigate his world. He famously used a goat-drawn cart, ingeniously constructed from his own bed, to move around and engage with his community.
Image: Bud Rogan pictured in his custom-made goat-drawn cart for mobility.
Debunking Myths and Understanding Rogan’s Life
Popular stories often depict Bud Rogan as an artist who made a living selling drawings. While appealing, this narrative is largely inaccurate. It stems from an 1897 Kansas City Journal article which, while discussing Rogan, actually referenced Sumner Fauley, a cartoonist who drew Bud. The truth about Bud Rogan’s livelihood, according to the same article, was more grounded: he worked meeting trains and transporting luggage and packages to hotels. This practical role highlights his integration into the community despite his extraordinary size and physical limitations.
It’s also suggested that Rogan may have earned money by posing for photographs, capitalizing on public fascination with his height. However, he consistently refused offers to join circuses and exhibitions, rejecting opportunities to be displayed purely for his unusual stature. Interestingly, despite not being an artist by trade, Rogan’s hands were remarkably large, measuring 12 inches (30.48 cm) long. This is larger than the hands of Sultan Kösen, the current record holder for the largest hands on a living person.
Image: A portrait of John Rogan, highlighting his considerable height.
John Rogan’s Height Compared to Contemporaries and Records
Rogan’s immense height naturally drew attention. During his lifetime, there was a belief that he had surpassed the record for the tallest living man, then attributed to Franz Winkelmeier. Winkelmeier was publicly billed as 8 ft 6 in (259 cm), but medical examination later revealed his actual height to be 7 ft 6 in (228 cm). This comparison underscores the public’s fascination with height and the sometimes inaccurate reporting of such measurements.
A young doctor, William Lackey, took a professional interest in Rogan, examining him and publishing a paper on his unique case. Dr. Lackey’s examination and measurements are crucial to our understanding of John Rogan’s height. Because Rogan could not stand, Lackey had to estimate his height based on multiple measurements taken in a seated position, accounting for his spinal curvature.
Before his health declined, Rogan was estimated to be around 8 ft 6 in (259 cm) tall and weighed 300 lb (136 kg). Tragically, he passed away at the young age of 37 on September 12, 1905, due to complications from his condition, weighing only 175 lb (79 kg) at the time. Post-mortem measurements by Dr. Lackey recorded John Rogan’s height at 8 ft 9 in (267 cm). However, some modern estimations, based on contemporary photographs, suggest he might have been slightly shorter.
Like Robert Wadlow, the tallest person ever, Rogan is believed to be buried in a concrete tomb to prevent grave robbery, a grim testament to the morbid curiosity his height inspired. While the exact location of his final resting place remains unknown, it is thought to be somewhere on the old Rogana farmlands.
Why Robert Wadlow will be the tallest person ever, forever
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