Ella Harper

Ella Harper (January 5, 1870 – December 19, 1921), known professionally as The Camel Girl, was born with an extremely rare orthopedic condition that caused her knees to bend backwards, called congenital genu recurvatum. Her preference to walk on all fours resulted in her nickname "Camel Girl".

Medical condition

Harper was born with congenital genu recurvatum, a rare orthopedic condition present at birth in which the knees bend backward instead of forward. for her appearances . The money she earned via this role likely afforded her opportunities in life she may not otherwise have had.

Marriage and family

Harper married a schoolteacher named Robert Savely in 1905.

Death

She died in 1921 at the age of fifty-one due to colon cancer. She is buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.