Anna Swan (1848-1888), Captain M. V. Bates (1845-1919), and Frances M. Uffner

Born in Nova Scotia, Anna Haining Swann was believed to be the only female giant in the world at that time. In 1862, young Anna accepted a job with P.T. Barnum that paid $1,000 a month and provided a private tutor so she could continue her studies. At 22, she weighed 352 pounds and was 7 feet 6 inches tall. Excelling at acting, literature, and music, Swan became a remarkable pianist and an expert lecturer. In 1871 Swan married Kentucky giant Martin Van Buren Bates in England and they toured Europe as the largest couple in the world. The husband and wife gave a command performance for Queen Victoria.