Robert Earl Hughes

Robert Earl Hughes

Robert Earl Hughes, Jr. (June 4, 1926 – July 10, 1958) was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded in the history of the world.[1]

Robert Earl Hughes, Jr. was born in Baylis, Illinois, in 1926. He was the son of farmer and entertainer, Robert Earl Hughes, Sr. (1890 - 1974) and Margaret G. Robinson (1893 - 1993). At the age of six, Robert, Jr. weighed about 92 kilograms (203 lb);[2] at twelve, he weighed 148 kilograms (326 lb). His excessive weight was attributed to a malfunctioning pituitary gland.[3] His chest was measured at 3.15 metres (10.3 ft), and he weighed an estimated 485 kg (1069 lbs) at his heaviest.[1]

During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs; plans to appear on the Ed Sullivan television program were announced but never came about.[3] On July 10, 1958, Hughes contracted a case of measles,[2] which soon developed into uremia,[2] resulting in his death in Bremen, Indiana,[4] United States. He was 32 years old.[2]

He is often said to have been buried in a piano case. This error stems from a sentence that appeared in successive editions of the Guinness Book of World Records, which read, "He was buried in a coffin the size of a piano case." His headstone notes that he was the world's heaviest man at a confirmed 1,041 pounds (472 kg).[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Robert Hughes" - Brainy History
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Biography" - Find a Grave
  3. 1 2 "World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life" - Washington Times Reporter Archived March 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Obituary - Bremen Enquirer
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