Bernard A. Coyne (July 27, 1897–May 20, 1921) is one of 20 people who were confirmed by medical science to have reached a height of over eight feet. Some people believe that Bernard Coyne’s height at the time of his death was around 8 feet 4 inches (2.54 meters). Like the world’s tallest man, Robert Wadlow, Bernard Coyne was also the tallest man alive until his early death.
Bernard Coyne’s Life
Coyne was the second of six siblings (4 boys and 1 girl) born to his parents in Anthon, Woodbury County, Iowa, in 1897. His mother was 5’2″ (1.57 m), and his father was 5’8″ (1.73 m). He most likely ‘suffered’ from gigantism, which is related to the pituitary gland that secretes human growth hormone (HGH). It is about the size of a pea and is located at the base of the brain.
On his World War I draft registration card dated August 29, 1918, Bernard Coyne listed his height as 8 feet (244 cm). When he was 18 years old, he was 7 feet, 9 inches tall (236 cm), which disqualified him from being drafted.
The height requirements were not strictly enforced throughout the war; however, his case was extraordinary.
Similar to other extremely tall people in history, Bernard Coyne could mostly move around with the aid of a walking stick.
At 21, Bernard Coyne was 8 feet 1 inch tall (246 cm) and weighed 275 pounds (125 kg), so he was in decent form and strength. As a result of his gigantism, Coyne became extremely tall very early in life; in fact, he became taller than anybody else with the eunuchism condition (lack of mature male germ cells and testicular hormones).
Despite the numerous contract offers he got from traveling carnivals, circuses, and variety shows, Coyne always declined them and ultimately decided to stay at home to live a quiet life. This is similar to the case of John Rogan, the tallest Black person in history, who also rejected being exhibited and lived a modest life in his hometown of Gallatin.
Bernard Coyne’s Death
Like the world’s tallest man, Robert Wadlow, Bernard Coyne averaged two inches (5 cm) of growth every year up until his death. Coyne wore shoes in a US size 24. In May of 1921, Coyne passed away from liver cirrhosis at the age of 23 after suffering from bad health since September of the previous year. A unique coffin was made for his burial, and he was laid to rest in his native town, Anson.
At the time of his death, Coyne’s height was believed to be 8 feet 4 inches (2.54 meters), and similar to Robert Wadlow’s untimely death, Bernard Coyne would probably continue to grow for a few more years and reach a height of at least 8 feet 6.4 inches (2.60 meters).
