The Tallest Men Of The 20th Century

Robert Pershing Wadlow (1918–1940), according to the Guinness World Records, is the tallest person in medical history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. He is often known as the Alton Giant. Wadlow reached an unprecedented 272 centimeters (8 feet 11.1 inches) in height and weighed 199 kilograms (440 pounds) at his death. His great size and his continued growth in adulthood were due to a tumor within his pituitary gland. He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death.

John William Rogan (1868-1905) began to grow very rapidly at the age of 13. This led to ankylosis (fusion of a joint), so eventually he could not stand or walk. His exact height was not measured until his death. At that time he measured 268 centimeters (8 feet 8 inches) tall, but weighed only 79 kilograms (175 pounds), making him the tallest African American, and the second tallest man, ever recorded. Rogan died in 1905 from complications of his disease.

Sorry, no photo of John William Rogan.

Vikas Kumar Uppal (1986-2007) is said to be India's tallest man. On 10 June 2005, he was reported to be 266 centimeters (8 feet 9 inches) tall. Vikas died on June 30th, 2007 during a failed brain tumor operation in Delhi, India.

Ajaz Ahmed (born 1976) is a Pakistani man claiming to be the world's tallest living person. He hails from Bakkhar village in Daryakhan, Punjab, and claims to be 253 centimeters (8 feet 4 inches) tall. He suffers from an orthopedic problem that afflicted his right leg after he underwent surgery for a hip-bone fracture.

Leonid Stadnyk (born 1971) is a controversial claimant to the status of the world's tallest living man. He is a certified veterinarian and veterinary surgeon, and lives with his mother in the village of Podolyantsi, Ukraine. He claims to be 253 centimeters (8 feet 4 inches) tall, weighs about 200 kilograms (440 pounds), but has stopped growing, because the tumor in his pituitary gland which caused him to grow so large has disappeared.