JOHN W ROGAN

John Rogan was born in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on February 16, 1868. He was the son of the former slave William Rogan, as the fourth of twelve children. John began to grow very rapidly at the age of 13,^[1] leading to ankylosis (abnormal rigidity of the skeletal joints). By 1882, he could not stand or walk.

Although he could not perform physical labor due to his condition, Rogan made a living by selling portraits and postcards at a train station. An 1897 article in the Kansas City Journal mentions that a number of his drawings were published. Despite his success in this regard, he declined all offers to join carnivals and sideshows.

By 1899, he had grown to a height of 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) and often appeared in newspapers, referred to as the "negro giant". He used a cart like a wheelchair; it was pulled by goats. He was always the center of attention, often noted for his deep voice and playful attitude. Rogan died on September 12, 1905, due to complications from his ankylosis.

Rogan's hands measured 11.5 in (29 cm) in length and his feet measured 13.7 in (35 cm) in length. He grew to 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) tall but weighed only 205 pounds (93 kg). Rogan is the tallest person of African descent, and remains the second tallest person on record, surpassed only by Robert Wadlow.