Bernard Coyne (giant)

{{Short description|American giant}}

{{Infobox person

|name=Bernard Coyne

|image=Bernard Coyne (1897-1921) circa 1920.jpg

|birth_date={{birth date|1897|7|27}}

|birth_place=Anthon, Iowa, United States

|birth_name=Bernard A. Coyne

|death_date={{Death date and age|1921|5|20|1897|7|27|mf=yes}}

|height = 8 ft 1.72 in

}}

Bernard A. Coyne (July 27, 1897{{spaced ndash}}May 20, 1921)[https://siouxcityjournal.com/blogs/siouxland_history/people/woobury-county-man-deemed-tallest-in-the-world/image_0c48c87b-6c3f-5fbb-8636-7f06df65fc7c.html Sioux City Journal] is one of only 20 individuals in medical history to have stood {{convert|8|ft|cm}} or more. Coyne may have reached a height of {{height|ft=8|in=4|abbr=mos}} tall at the time of his death in 1921. His World War I draft registration card, dated August 29, 1918, lists his height as {{convert|8|ft|cm}}. The Guinness Book of World Records stated that he was refused induction into the Army when he stood at a height of {{convert|7|ft|9|in|cm}}.[http://iowahistoryjournal.com/publishers-perspective-volume-7-issue-3-no-iowan-bigger-bernard-coyne/ Iowa History Journal]

Coyne was the tallest ever eunuchoidal infantile giant, a condition also known as gigantism. He was the tallest person in the world at the time of his death, like Robert Wadlow, he was still growing. He reportedly wore size 24 (American) shoes.

Bernard Coyne died in 1921. He is buried in Anthon, Iowa, in a specially-made, extra-large coffin.