Jane Bunford (26 July 1895 – 1 April 1922) was one of the tallest women ever measuring at the time of her death (adjusted for spinal curvature). She was the tallest woman in the world during her lifetime.

Early life

Bunford's parents were John Bunford (14 March 1856 – 10 December 1916) and Jane Bunford (Nee Andrews) (April 1857 – 1934) of

Bartley Green Bartley Green is a residential suburban area and electoral ward in Birmingham, England, south west of the city centre. The ward is part of the Birmingham Edgbaston constituency and is represented in parliament by Labour Co-operative MP Preet Gi ...

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1. ...

, UK. Her father was a metal caster.

Accident

According to the Guinness Book of Records at the age of 11, Bunford had a head injury. It is believed that the injury permanently damaged her

pituitary gland In vertebrate anatomy, the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland, about the size of a chickpea and weighing, on average, in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain. The ...

, releasing an excess of

growth hormone Growth hormone (GH) or somatotropin, also known as human growth hormone (hGH or HGH) in its human form, is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. It is thus important in h ...

which sent her growth out of control.

School

Bunford attended St. Michael's Secondary School in Bartley Green. At school she displayed a talent for

embroidery Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. In modern days, embroidery is usually seen ...

but the desks and chairs became too uncomfortable for her to sit at. A Mrs Booth who knew Bunford said it was difficult for her to get through the school doors. As a result of both factors, Bunford's parents took her out of school. On her 13th birthday she was measured at tall. On her 21st birthday Bunford was measured at tall, her peak standing height. Mrs Booth said Bunford had to have her shoes specially made at

Halesowen Halesowen ( ) is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the county of West Midlands, England. Historically an exclave of Shropshire and, from 1844, in Worcestershire, the town is around from Birmingham city centre, and fro ...

as she had size 17 feet.

Later life

Bunford rejected several opportunities to benefit financially from her size and appearance. She had straight long auburn hair. In her final years Bunford became a recluse. She hated the attention her size brought her, and her spine developed a severe curvature. Because of this, Bunford could not stand fully erect towards the end of her life. By the end of her life, Bunford was also in pain because of joint problems and other ailments. She often baby-sat young children in the area, as a favour for neighbours.

Death and funeral

Shortly before her death, Bunford was measured at tall. It was estimated that she would have been , if she had not developed the spinal curvature. Bunford died at her home in Jiggins Lane on 1 April 1922. According to her death certificate, Bunford died of hyperpituitarism and gigantism. The funeral was held at St Michaels and All Angels Church, Bartley Green, on 5 April 1922. The Coffin had been locked in the Church overnight before the day of the funeral. According to undertaker's records published in ''General Practitioner'', her coffin was long and was probably the longest ever used for a UK funeral. Mrs. Booth claimed in February 1972 that no local people were allowed to enter the church. The story featured on ATV on 27 January 1972 and 14 March 1972.

References

External links

Jane Bunford's memorial stone on Bartley Green Library wall
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bunford, Jane 1895 births 1922 deaths People from Birmingham, West Midlands People with gigantism