Robert Earl Hughes: Difference between revisions

Robert Earl Hughes
Robert Earl Hughes
Born	June 4, 1926; Monticello, Missouri, US
Died	July 10, 1958 (aged 32); Bremen, Indiana, US
Occupation(s)	Entertainer and sideshow performer
Known for	The heaviest human to walk unassisted, The heaviest human in the world during his lifetime

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Robert Earl Hughes (June 4, 1926 – July 10, 1958) was an American man who was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded, weighing 1,071 pounds (486 kg).^[1] He remains the heaviest human in the world able to walk without the need of assistance.

Early life and family

Robert Hughes was born in Monticello, Missouri, the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" 11 pounds 4 ounces (5.1 kg)^[2]^[3] and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted whooping cough at about five months old."^[4]

The family moved to Fishhook, Illinois, when Robert was six months old.^[2]

Career

Hughes made some income from selling photographs of himself.^[2] During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs.^[4] At age 27,^[5] he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family.^[2] Plans to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show variety television program were announced but never materialized.^[6]

In 1957, traveling with his brother Guy and Guy's wife Lillian, Hughes had bookings throughout the country. Walking, even with his massive cane, had started to be difficult for the 31-year-old. While at a carnival, word reached Hughes that his father had died at age 79 back in Illinois. Guy and Lillian returned to Illinois for the funeral, but Robert stayed on, believing it was his duty to honour his commitments. At season's end, he returned to Guy's farm, unable to walk more than 20 feet (6.1 m) without the assistance of family members, who would follow closely, lugging a five-foot (1.5 m) wide, steel-reinforced chair in case of exhaustion.^[1]

Death

While traveling with the roadshow in Nappanee, Indiana, Hughes developed a rash, and the flesh under his fingernails turned blue. Because he was unable to be moved to the nearest hospital in Bremen, Indiana, doctors treated him at his trailer, and determined he was suffering from measles.^[6] He developed uremia.^[2]

He died on July 10, 1958, at the age of 32. He was buried in a small church cemetery in Benville, Illinois,^[5] in Brown County near his hometown, Fishhook.^[7] About 2,000 people attended the funeral.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Kurson, Robert (2021-06-03). "Heavy". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Gertz Husar, Deborah (June 12, 2007). "Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant". The Herald-Whig. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
^ "710 Pound Youth". Life. 1946-10-07. pp. 81–82, 84. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via Google Books.
^ ^a ^b Moreno, Rich (2010-02-04). "The Biggest Man in Fishhook, IL. Ever". Exploring Illinois. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via blogspot.com.
^ ^a ^b "It's All in How You Look at It". Kentucky New Era. 1966-07-13. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via Google News.
^ ^a ^b ^c Luciano, Phil. "World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life". Washington Times Reporter. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012.
^ "Fishhook, Illinois to Benville, Illinois". How Far Is It? Distance Server. Retrieved 2020-02-05.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|World's heaviest person without walking assistance}}
 {{Infobox person
 | name               = Robert Earl Hughes
 | image              =
 | caption            =
 | birth_date         = June 4, 1926
 | birth_place        = [[Monticello, Missouri]], US
 | death_date         = July 10, 1958 (aged 32)
-| death_place        =
+| death_place        = [[Bremen, Indiana]], US
-| nationality        = American
+| occupation         = Entertainer and sideshow performer
-| occupation         = Entertainer and Sideshow performer
 | known_for          = The heaviest human to walk unassisted, The heaviest human in the world during his lifetime
 }}
-'''Robert Earl Hughes'''  (June 4, 1926 – July 10, 1958) was an American man who was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded, weighing {{cvt|1,071|lbs|kg}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2001/Heavy/|title=Heavy}}</ref> He remains the heaviest human in the world able to walk without the need of assistance.
+'''Robert Earl Hughes''' (June 4, 1926 – July 10, 1958) was an American man who was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded, weighing {{convert|1071|lbs}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kurson |first=Robert |date=2021-06-03 |title=Heavy |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2001/Heavy/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Chicago Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> He remains the heaviest human in the world able to walk without the need of assistance.
 ==Early life and family==
-Robert Hughes was born in [[Monticello, Missouri|Monticello]], [[Missouri]], the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" {{cvt|11|lb|4|oz}}<ref name="hwhig2007">{{cite news|last=Gertz Husar|first=Deborah|url=https://www.whig.com/article/20070612/ARTICLE/306129970|title=Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant|date=June 12, 2007|work=The Herald-Whig|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref><ref name= Life>{{cite magazine| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hk0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Robert+Earl+Hughes%22&pg=PA81 |title= 710 Pound Youth |magazine= [[Life (magazine)|Life]]| date= 1946-10-07| via= Google Books| access-date= 2020-02-05| pages= 81–82, 84}}</ref> and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted [[whooping cough]] at about five months old."<ref name= FH>{{cite web| url= http://exploringillinois.blogspot.com/2010/02/biggest-man-in-fishhook-il-ever.html| work= Exploring Illinois| first= Rich| last= Moreno| date= 2010-02-04| title= The Biggest Man in Fishhook, IL. Ever.| via= blogspot.com| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> The whooping cough was believed to have played a role in his extraordinary weight gain. At age six, he weighed {{cvt|175|lbs|kg}}; at ten, he weighed {{cvt|380|lbs|kg}}.
+Robert Hughes was born in [[Monticello, Missouri]], the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" {{convert|11|lb|4|oz}}<ref name="hwhig2007">{{cite news|last=Gertz Husar|first=Deborah|url=https://www.whig.com/article/20070612/ARTICLE/306129970|title=Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant|date=June 12, 2007|work=The Herald-Whig|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref><ref name= Life>{{cite magazine| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hk0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Robert+Earl+Hughes%22&pg=PA81 |title= 710 Pound Youth |magazine= [[Life (magazine)|Life]]| date= 1946-10-07| via= Google Books| access-date= 2020-02-05| pages= 81–82, 84}}</ref> and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted [[whooping cough]] at about five months old."<ref name= FH>{{cite web| url= http://exploringillinois.blogspot.com/2010/02/biggest-man-in-fishhook-il-ever.html| work= Exploring Illinois| first= Rich| last= Moreno| date= 2010-02-04| title= The Biggest Man in Fishhook, IL. Ever.| via= blogspot.com| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref>
-The family moved to [[Fishhook, Illinois]], when Robert was six months old.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> He had two younger brothers, Guy B. Hughes (1927–2006) and Donald Hughes (1929–2012).
+The family moved to [[Fishhook, Illinois]], when Robert was six months old.<ref name= hwhig2007 />
-==Condition==
-During his lifetime, he was the heaviest human on earth. Unlike most people of great weight, he was not bed-bound, and he holds to this day the record of the heaviest human to walk. Hughes's extreme weight was attributed to a ruptured thyroid gland. He reached a peak weight of {{cvt|1,071|lbs|kg}}, with a chest measured at {{cvt|10.3|ft|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Robert Earl Hughes (1926-1958) - Find A Grave...|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7051577/robert-earl-hughes|access-date=2020-06-19|website=www.findagrave.com|language=en}}</ref>
 ==Career==
-Hughes made some income from selling photographs of himself.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs.<ref name= FH /> At age 27,<ref name= look>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aOorAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aWcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1140,1102476&dq=robert-earl-hughes&hl=en |title= It's All in How You Look at It| work= [[Kentucky New Era]]| date= 1966-07-13 | via= Google News | access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> he joined a travelling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> Plans to appear on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' [[variety show|variety]] television program were announced but never materialised.<ref name="Reporter">{{cite news|last=Luciano|first=Phil|url=http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697|title=World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life|work=[[Washington Times Reporter]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304152514/http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697|archive-date=March 4, 2012}}</ref>
+Hughes made some income from selling photographs of himself.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs.<ref name= FH /> At age 27,<ref name= look>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aOorAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aWcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1140,1102476&dq=robert-earl-hughes&hl=en |title= It's All in How You Look at It| work= [[Kentucky New Era]]| date= 1966-07-13 | via= Google News | access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> Plans to appear on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' [[variety show|variety]] television program were announced but never materialized.<ref name="Reporter">{{cite news |last=Luciano |first=Phil |title=World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life |work=Washington Times Reporter |url=http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304152514/http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697 |archive-date=March 4, 2012}}</ref>
-In 1957, travelling with his brother Guy and Guy's wife Lillian, Robert had bookings throughout the country. Walking, even with his massive cane, had started to be difficult for the 31-year-old. Word reached him at a carnival that his father had died at age 79. Guy and Lillian returned to Illinois for the funeral, but Robert stayed on, believing it was his duty to honour his commitments. At season's end, he returned to Guy's farm, unable to walk more than {{cvt|20|ft|m}} without the assistance of family members, who would follow closely, lugging a 5-foot- (1.5 meter-) wide, steel-reinforced chair in case of exhaustion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heavy |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2001/Heavy/ |website=chicagomag.com |publisher=Chicago Magazine |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>
+In 1957, traveling with his brother Guy and Guy's wife Lillian, Hughes had bookings throughout the country. Walking, even with his massive cane, had started to be difficult for the 31-year-old. While at a carnival, word reached Hughes that his father had died at age 79 back in Illinois. Guy and Lillian returned to Illinois for the funeral, but Robert stayed on, believing it was his duty to honour his commitments. At season's end, he returned to Guy's farm, unable to walk more than {{convert|20|ft}} without the assistance of family members, who would follow closely, lugging a {{convert|5|ft|adj=on|spell=in}} wide, steel-reinforced chair in case of exhaustion.<ref name=":0" />
 ==Death==
-While travelling with the roadshow in [[Nappanee, Indiana]], Hughes developed a rash, and the flesh under his fingernails turned blue.  Because he was unable to be moved to the nearest hospital in [[Bremen, Indiana]], doctors treated him at his trailer, and determined he was suffering from [[measles]].<ref name= "Reporter" />He developed [[uremia]].<ref name= hwhig2007 />
+While traveling with the roadshow in [[Nappanee, Indiana]], Hughes developed a rash, and the flesh under his fingernails turned blue. Because he was unable to be moved to the nearest hospital in [[Bremen, Indiana]], doctors treated him at his trailer, and determined he was suffering from [[measles]].<ref name= "Reporter" /> He developed [[uremia]].<ref name= hwhig2007 />
-He died on July 10, 1958 at the age of 32.  He was buried in a small church cemetery in [[Benville, Illinois]],<ref name= look /> in [[Brown County, Illinois|Brown County]] near his hometown, Fishhook.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?type=doSearchFlight&token=%3C%3Fphp+echo+%24token%3B+%3F%3E&isRound=1&place1=Fishhook%2C+IL&place2=Benville%2C+IL| work= How Far Is It? Distance Server| title= Fishhook, Illinois to Benville, Illinois| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> About 2,000 people attended the funeral.<ref name= "Reporter" />
+He died on July 10, 1958, at the age of 32. He was buried in a small church cemetery in [[Benville, Illinois]],<ref name= look /> in [[Brown County, Illinois|Brown County]] near his hometown, Fishhook.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?type=doSearchFlight&token=%3C%3Fphp+echo+%24token%3B+%3F%3E&isRound=1&place1=Fishhook%2C+IL&place2=Benville%2C+IL| work= How Far Is It? Distance Server| title= Fishhook, Illinois to Benville, Illinois| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> About 2,000 people attended the funeral.<ref name= "Reporter" />
-He is erroneously said to have been buried in a piano case. This error stemmed from a sentence that appeared in the ''Guinness Book of World Records'': "He was buried in a coffin the size of a piano case."<ref>{{cite web |title=Heavy |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2001/Heavy/ |website=chicagomag.com |publisher=Chicago Magazine |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref> His headstone notes that he was the world's heaviest man at a confirmed {{cvt|1,041|lbs|kg}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Earl Hughes (1926-1958) |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7051577/robert-earl-hughes |website=findagrave.com |publisher=Find A Grave |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>
 ==See also==
 * [[List of the heaviest people]]
+* [[Traveling carnival]]
+==References==
-==Additional reading==
+{{reflist}}
-*{{cite book| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4CXVGwAACAAJ |title= Big Heart: Remembering Robert Earl Hughes, 1926-1958| others= Issue 8 of Moshassuck monograph series| first= Kenneth W. |last= Faig| publisher= Moshassuck Press| year= 2001| via= Google Books}}
-== References ==
+==Further reading==
+* {{cite book| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4CXVGwAACAAJ |title= Big Heart: Remembering Robert Earl Hughes, 1926-1958| others= Issue 8 of Moshassuck monograph series| first= Kenneth W. |last= Faig| publisher= Moshassuck Press| year= 2001| via= Google Books}}
-{{reflist}}
-{{Authority control}}
+{{authority control}}
+{{portal bar|Biography|United States|Modern history}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Hughes, Robert Earl}}
 [[Category:1926 births]]
 [[Category:1958 deaths]]
-[[Category:American entertainers]]
+[[Category:20th-century American people]]
-[[Category:Burials in Illinois]]
+[[Category:deaths from kidney disease]]
-[[Category:People from Pike County, Illinois]]
+[[Category:entertainers from Illinois]]
-[[Category:Sideshow performers]]
+[[Category:obesity in the United States]]
-[[Category:Obesity in the United States]]
+[[Category:people from Pike County, Illinois]]
-[[Category:Deaths from kidney disease]]
+[[Category:sideshow performers]]

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