Anna Haining Bates

Anna Haining Bates (née Swan; August 6, 1846 – August 5, 1888) was a Canadian woman notable for her great stature of . She was one of the tallest women who ever lived. Her parents were of average height and were Scottish immigrants.

Early life

Anna Haining Bates was born Anna Swan on August 6, 1846 at Mill Brook, New Annan, Nova Scotia. of 13 children, all of the others being around average height. From birth she grew very rapidly. Anna's mother recalled that her daughter's growth rate was "phenomenal."

On her fourth birthday, Swan was tall and weighed . On her 6th birthday she was measured at tall, an inch or two (2.5–5 cm) shorter than her mother. On her 10th birthday she measured tall and weighed at . On her 11th birthday, she was measured at tall. On her 15th birthday Swan was measured at tall. She reached her full height three years later. Her feet were long.

Swan excelled at literature and music and was considered to be very intelligent. She also excelled at her studies of acting, piano and voice. On one occasion she played Lady Macbeth. Career

At the age of 16, in 1863, Anna Swan came to the attention of American showman P. T. Barnum, who sent an agent to her family's home in New Annan, Nova Scotia. Barnum offered Swan $1,000 a month to appear at Barnum's American Museum in New York City. Because she wished to continue her education, Swan accepted after Barnum promised to provide a private tutor for three hours each day for three years. While appearing at the museum, she continued her studies and received instruction in voice and piano.

Barnum advertised Swan as "the tallest girl in the world", claiming that she stood tall. He dressed her in elaborate costumes made from 100 yards (91 m) of satin and 50 yards (46 m) of lace, and frequently exhibited her alongside Commodore Nutt, whose much smaller stature highlighted the contrast between the two performers. Queen Victoria marked the occasion by presenting Swan with a satin gown and diamond ring, while Bates received an engraved watch.

After their marriage, Swan and Bates started a family, but both of their children died in infancy. At the age of 25, Swan gave birth to a daughter on May 19, 1872. The baby weighed and was stillborn. Six years later while touring in 1878, Swan became pregnant again. On January 18, 1879, she gave birth to a son, known simply as "Babe". He weighed , measured long, and lived for 11 hours. Death

In 1888, at the age of 41, one day before her 42nd birthday, Anna Haining Bates died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home in Seville, Ohio.