Myrtle Corbin

Josephine Myrtle Corbin (May 12, 1868 – May 6, 1928) was an American sideshow performer born as a dipygus. This referred to the fact that she had two separate pelvises side by side from the waist down, as a result of her body axis splitting as it developed. Each of her smaller inner legs was paired with one of her outer legs. She was said to be able to move her inner legs, but they were too weak for walking.

Early life and family Corbin was born in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Corbin's parents were William H. Corbin, aged 25 at the time of his daughter's birth, and Nancy Corbin (née Sullins), aged 34. Both parents were described by physicians who examined the infant shortly after her birth as being very similar in appearance, "both having auburn hair, blue eyes, and very fair complexion"; in fact, they looked so similar that the physicians felt compelled to point out that they were not "blood kin". Corbin soon showed herself to be a strong child, weighing three weeks after the birth, and it was reported in a journal published later that year that she "nurses healthily" and was "thriving well".

Contemporary physicians described Corbin as being in good health despite her unusual anatomy. Lewis Whaley, who had known Corbin since childhood, described her as "about five feet high", with "fair skin, blue eyes, and curly hair". He observed that "a stranger, to see her in company, would only think her unusually broad across her hips", adding that he did not fully appreciate "the perfect dual development of both external and internal genital organs" until treating her during a pregnancy. Another physician characterized her as "a refined woman, of some musical taste." Her first documented pregnancy, in 1887, prompted further medical examination. Physicians determined that the pregnancy was developing in her left uterus, and the case was subsequently described in several medical journals. Her popularity in this industry was such that other showmen turned to exhibiting four-legged gaffs (falsified performances). When Corbin herself was no longer performing, there were several phony four-legged women to whom audiences could turn. She died on May 6, 1928, six days before her 60th birthday.

Cultural references In 2015 Graywolf Press published Four-Legged Girl by Diane Seuss. The 88 page collection of poems was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.