The last of the OLD WORLD GIANTS. 12 Feodor Machnow (1878–1912) the "Russian Giant"
The man in the image is Feodor Machnow (1878–1912), often known as the "Russian Giant".
Who was Feodor Machnow?
Born near Viciebsk (then part of the Russian Empire, now in Belarus), Machnow was a famous circus and fair performer who traveled across Europe and the USA during the early 20th century.
Height: In 1905, he was widely claimed to be 9 feet 8 inches (approx. 2.95 meters) tall, though modern estimates suggest he was likely closer to 7 feet 10 inches (2.39 meters).
The Hippodrome Photo: This specific photograph was taken in 1905 outside the London Hippodrome, where he was performing. He is pictured standing next to his manager and his wife, Euphrosyne, to emphasize his massive stature.
Daily Life: To maintain his size, he was known to consume enormous quantities of food; one account states he ate 16 eggs and several loaves of bread for breakfast each day.
While he was marketed as the tallest man on Earth during his lifetime, the tallest human ever recorded with irrefutable evidence remains Robert Wadlow, who reached 8 feet 11.1 inches.
Historical information regarding the height on Feodor Machnow's death certificate is mixed, largely because his promoters frequently exaggerated his stature for circus tours.
Death and Memorial Records
While a specific standard "death certificate" document is not widely cited in archives, his official memorial record (an obelisk over his grave) states his height was: 3 arshins 9 vershoks, which converts to approximately 254 centimeters or 8 feet 4 inches.
Discrepancies in Measurement
There is a notable difference between his "billed" height and his actual recorded size: Promotional Height: During his life, he was marketed as being as tall as 9 feet 3 inches (282 cm) or 9 feet 4 inches (285 cm) to attract crowds.
Verified Height: Modern historians and organizations like Guinness World Records believe his actual height was likely around 7 feet 10.5 inches (240 cm). The 8-foot-4 measurement on his tombstone is also considered by many to be an exaggeration intended to honor his "giant" status.
For comparison, John Rogan, the man discussed in your previous question, was recorded at 8 feet 9 inches (267 cm) around the time of his death.
