William Bradley

William Bradley (10 February 1787 – 30 May 1820), known more commonly as Giant Bradley or the Yorkshire Giant, was a British man known as one of the tallest to ever live, measuring , the same height as Angus MacAskill from Scotland.

Early life

William Bradley was born in Market Weighton, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, on 10 February 1787, the fourth of thirteen children. He weighed at birth. Although Bradley would become Britain's tallest recorded man, his family was generally of average height. His father was described in later accounts as a master tailor, although the Market Weighton parish registers identify him as a butcher. He stood about , while Bradley's mother, Anne, and most of his siblings were of average stature. One sister, who died in an accident at the age of 16, was also said to have been unusually tall.

Bradley grew rapidly throughout childhood. By the age of 11, he reportedly weighed , and by the age of 18 he weighed . According to local tradition, teachers sometimes punished misbehaving pupils by having Bradley lift them onto the classroom's high crossbeams, where they remained until they were allowed down.

Career

As a young man, Bradley left farm work near Pocklington, where he had earned less than ten shillings a week, and joined a travelling group of showmen. Exhibited under the name the "Yorkshire Giant", he appeared alongside other attractions, including a large Yorkshire pig bred at Sancton, about from his home town of Market Weighton.

Commemoration Bradley is commemorated in his hometown of Market Weighton by a life-sized wooden statue carved by sculptor Malcolm MacLachlan. Commissioned by Market Weighton Area Business Ltd and unveiled in May 2008, the statue stands in the town centre and honours Bradley as the tallest recorded British man.

An annual festival is organised in memory of William Bradley in his home town of Market Weighton. The event has been held annually in July since 1996 and is attended by hundreds of people in the town. It is a family-oriented event with games, amusement rides, stalls and other attractions, including the famous "Weighton Lash". Christopher Greener, who was the tallest living European for a period of time, has taken part in the celebrations in the past.

Bradley's former home on Market Hill still stands in the town. His memory is also preserved in the name of Giant Bradley Way, the section of the A1079 road that passes through Market Weighton.