The Life, and Death, of Patrick Cotter O’Brien, the Irish Giant
Mythology/Folklore/History
Monday 5th, August 2024
In March 2024 a record number of people attended the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Bristol, a celebration of Irish culture and tradition. The theme for this year was ‘Sea of Migration’, which recognised those of the Irish diaspora, both past and present, who made their homes in Bristol. It was during this celebration, on a story walking tour “Pubs and Potatoes, Giants and Geniuses”, led by Clare Reddaway, that I learned about the historic links between Ireland and Bristol and my interest was piqued in relation to one notable son of Ireland who made his way to the city of Bristol over 240 years ago.
Trade, Migration and Cultural Exchange.
Ireland and Bristol share a bond that goes back centuries; the rolling hills of Ireland and the bustling port city of Bristol have exchanged people, culture and stories for generations. It’s a tale of trade, migration and cultural exchanges. Bristol’s docks have long been a gateway for Irish traders and as far back as the 11th century, merchants from both shores exchanged goods. Irish wool, hides and food made their way to Bristol, while English cloth, wine and other goods journeyed back to Irish markets. This trade wasn’t just about goods however; it was also a bridge between two lands. Over the centuries, the movement of people between Ireland and Bristol have been a gentle ebb and flow. During the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, countless Irish families fled starvation and despair in their homeland, seeking refuge across the sea, many travelling far afield to places such as America, but others settled closer by in Bristol. They brought with them their resilience, their culture and their hopes for a better future. Bristol, in turn, welcomed these newcomers, its streets and docks bustling with the sound of lilting Irish accents and music.
In modern times, there are now over 17,000 Irish people living in the West of England. Many of these came to England after the second world war to help staff hospitals and build roads and today their descendants and fresh newcomers work in many different fields including education, hospitality and key work. It is in this historical context that we find the tale of one Irish man, known to many as the ‘Irish Giant’ or sometimes the ‘Bristol Giant’, a man whose life and legend bridged these two locales in a most extraordinary way. On the story walk I found myself stood on a street near my home, Trenchard Street, a street that I had walked many times before, where unbeknownst to me Irishman and giant, Patrick Cotter (alias O’Brien) had been laid to rest more than 200 years before. It is here that I heard snippets of his story and wanted to learn more.
Early Life in Ireland
Born in 1760 in the small seaside town of Kinsale, County Cork, Patrick Cotter was a man who stood out, quite literally, from a very young age. He was born into a farming family of regular height, but by the time he was a teenager he already towered over the adults in the town and according to some already over 7 foot tall. In the late 18th century, life in rural Ireland was tough, and opportunities for someone visibly different like Patrick were limited. He did find some work and by the age of 18 years old he worked as a bricklayer, stonemason and plasterer and was famed in the town for his ability to plaster ceilings and slate shed roofs without needing to use a ladder.
In 1779, Patrick’s size brought him to the attention of a travelling showman from Bristol, who approached his father, offering to pay him £50 a year for a 3-year contract, to be allowed to show him in exhibitions in England. This was a lot of money to the Cotter family and he made the decision to take up the showman’s offer and move to Bristol, seeking a place where his unique stature could provide him with a livelihood.
Hitting Rock Bottom in Bristol
On his arrival in Bristol, Cotter quickly found himself exploited by his boss, who ‘sublet’ him to another showman. Cotter refused to be exhibited without receiving some payment for himself besides his food, clothing and lodging, as stipulated in the contract that had been made with his father. For trying to resist this exploitation, the showman falsely charged him with fictitious debt and had him thrown into debtors’ prison.
While in prison Cotter’s fortune would change. It is here he met a local businessman and philanthropist, William Watts, who looked kindly upon Cotter and his injustice and sought to end his contract, pay his debts and secure his release. Once released, Watts also provided Cotter with funds to set himself up on his own as an independent showman. Cotter was determined to make a life for himself and pull himself out from poverty and immediately set about performing.
Rise to Fame
Following his release from prison, Cotter began performing and became a popular attraction at the St James’ and Temple fairs in Bristol. On his first occasion of performing at St James’ Fair, he made £30 in three days, which is equivalent to almost £5,000 in today’s money.
Patrick quickly became a sensation in Bristol and he adopted the stage name “O’Brien”, linked to the dynasty of Irish king Brian Boru, likely to add a touch of noble allure to his persona. In Bristol, Cotter found a community that welcomed him and provided opportunities to showcase his unusual height. He performed in public exhibitions, which were a popular form of entertainment in the 18th century.
Crowds flocked to see him perform, marvelling at his height and strength. He was a gentle giant, using his fame to earn a living for himself in a time when most giants were exploited or treated as mere human curiosities. Cotter was a skilled businessman and showman, adding additional inches to his height in his adverts, and he toured cities in the England, advertising and showing himself for a fee. He toured for nearly 25 years, living in Bristol, London and
Essex.
Life of the Gentle Giant
His visible difference and unique stature brought him great success but also many challenges. He would spend most of his time indoors, likely hidden away in order to protect his business and to avoid the stares of passersby. He would take walks late at night in local woods, to help him sleep. These late-night walks could be dangerous, and one night his carriage to the woods was stopped by a highwayman looking to rob him. Once Cotter looked out of the carriage, the startled highwayman ran away in fright. Cotter also enjoyed his pipe and could be seen by watchmen late at night lighting his pipe in the flames of street lamps.
Cotter was described by those who knew him as well-mannered, intelligent and even tempered. He married in 1876 at St Pancras Church to a young woman named Cave, who lived in Piccadilly. Sadly, Cotter experienced problems with his health, likely due to his large size. Experts think that this was due to a pituitary condition called ‘acromegaly’. There are reports that he often needed to walk with the support of two men under his shoulders and would often need to rest holding the top of a door below him, so it is clear his mobility was affected by his height.
Bristol: A City Close to His Heart
Towards the end of his life, Cotter was an affluent man and settled in Bristol. He even had money enough to invest in property in Kingsdown, where he owned two houses. Patrick Cotter O'Brien's affection for Bristol was reciprocated by the city's residents, who celebrated him not only as a curiosity but as a cherished member of the community. He became a familiar figure in the city, and his performances were always well attended. O'Brian's decision to settle in Bristol was influenced by the city's vibrant culture and its historical connections with Ireland. The strong trade links between Bristol and Irish ports like Cork meant that Irish immigrants and visitors were a common presence in the city, fostering a shared cultural heritage.
The Fear of Anatomists and Resurrectionists
Despite his success, Cotter’s life in England was not without its fears. The 18th century was a time of great medical curiosity and an age of scientific discovery. Anatomists were keen to study human bodies, especially prized were unusual bodies, and ‘Resurrectionists’, or ‘body snatchers’, could make a lucrative business out of supplying anatomists with fresh corpses. Cotter was acutely aware that because of his unique physique he could become a prime target after his death.
His fears were not unfounded, as during his lifetime, another famed Irish Giant, Charles Byrne (alias O’Brien) had been closely watched when nearing his end of life in 1783, by a man employed by famous anatomist and founder of the Hunterian Museum, John Hunter. Byrne had a great fear of being dissected after his death and had paid and arranged for fishermen to bury him far out to see where Resurrection Men could not find him. Hunter’s man, however, found the drinking den of these fishermen and bribed them with a large sum of money to give up Byrne’s body. His body was then rushed to Hunter’s home in Earl’s Court where it was boiled and his skeleton prepared for display. The skeleton remained on display in the Hunterian Museum until very recently, and although no longer on display, is still retained for “medical research”.
On 8th September 1806, Patrick Cotter O’Brien passed away at the relatively young age of 46 in Bristol, likely due to the physical strains associated with his extraordinary height, a fate common among the world's tallest individuals. He was affluent and left £2000 to his mother in his will. This is equivalent to around £200,000 today. Grateful to the end, he even remembered his early benefactor Watts in his will.
Cotter’s fear of anatomists and body-snatchers was understandable and well-founded, and he left detailed instructions regarding his burial wishes. He was encased in three coffins; an inner made of wood, the middle made of lead, all enclosed in one of “Mr Panting’s Stupendous Coffins”. The outer coffin was said to measure 9 foot 5 inches long. No hearse long enough could be found for him, and part of the coffin protruding from the carriage had to be covered with black cloth. His coffin was carried by 14 pallbearers and lowered into a 12 foot deep shaft dug into the solid rock beneath The Roman Catholic Chapel on Trenchard Street in Bristol. Iron bars were then embedded in concrete above the grave. The burial took place very early in the morning at around 6am to prevent a crowd gathering as much as was possible. However, due to Cotter’s fame and the affection the people of Bristol had for him, a crowd of over 2,000 people gathered and police were called in to assist with keeping order. This strategy deprived the anatomists of his body, though some still tried to obtain it.
A pupil of local anatomist, Richard Smith, reported that his tutor spent his life complaining about losing the prize specimen of Patrick Cotter’s body. Apparently, he had attempted to obtain it by going to the great length of renting a house on the opposite side of the street in order to dig a tunnel under the road to remove the body in secret. To his dismay, he discovered that the burial was so deep, and the rock so hard, that he would have had to blast with gunpowder, which would have given him away. He therefore gave up.
Discovery and Study in the 20th Century
Cotter laid undisturbed for around 100 years, when in 1906 his skeleton was discovered by workmen laying drains. Finally, his remains were measured and photographed by a latter-day anatomist, Professor Fawcett. He was once again disinterred and examined in 1972, modern scientists hoping to learn more about the condition that so dramatically shaped his life. Analysis of Cotter’s remains showed that he was between 7 foot 10 inches and 8 foot 1 inch tall and that he was a pituitary giant who later suffered from acromegaly. His bones also indicated he suffered osteoarthritis, which would have made walking considerably difficult for him in life. Although Patrick Cotter O’Brien escaped the anatomists many years, it seems ultimately, they got what they wanted from him in time by disturbing his rest.
The Giant’s Legacy
As I stand on Trenchard Street, opposite the site of the old Roman Catholic Chapel, I reflect on Patrick Cotter O’Brien’s life story; one of resilience and adaptability. From the green fields of Ireland to the cobbled streets of Bristol, he carved out a life that defied the limitations imposed by his condition. His efforts to protect his body from posthumous exploitation reflect a deep-seated desire for dignity and respect, both in life and in death.
Patrick Cotter O'Brien's story is not just one of individual fascination but also of the broader historical and cultural ties between Bristol and Ireland. His life in Bristol exemplifies the enduring connections between the two, rooted in centuries of trade, migration, and shared history. The city's embrace of O'Brien, an Irish immigrant, underscores a legacy of inclusivity and mutual respect that continues to define the relationship between Bristol and Ireland today. The Irish Giant may have lived centuries ago, but his story continues to resonate, reminding us of the extraordinary lives that history sometimes tucks away, waiting to be rediscovered.
Reference list
Trade, Migration and Cultural Exchange.
Ireland and Bristol share a bond that goes back centuries; the rolling hills of Ireland and the bustling port city of Bristol have exchanged people, culture and stories for generations. It’s a tale of trade, migration and cultural exchanges. Bristol’s docks have long been a gateway for Irish traders and as far back as the 11th century, merchants from both shores exchanged goods. Irish wool, hides and food made their way to Bristol, while English cloth, wine and other goods journeyed back to Irish markets. This trade wasn’t just about goods however; it was also a bridge between two lands. Over the centuries, the movement of people between Ireland and Bristol have been a gentle ebb and flow. During the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, countless Irish families fled starvation and despair in their homeland, seeking refuge across the sea, many travelling far afield to places such as America, but others settled closer by in Bristol. They brought with them their resilience, their culture and their hopes for a better future. Bristol, in turn, welcomed these newcomers, its streets and docks bustling with the sound of lilting Irish accents and music.
In modern times, there are now over 17,000 Irish people living in the West of England. Many of these came to England after the second world war to help staff hospitals and build roads and today their descendants and fresh newcomers work in many different fields including education, hospitality and key work. It is in this historical context that we find the tale of one Irish man, known to many as the ‘Irish Giant’ or sometimes the ‘Bristol Giant’, a man whose life and legend bridged these two locales in a most extraordinary way. On the story walk I found myself stood on a street near my home, Trenchard Street, a street that I had walked many times before, where unbeknownst to me Irishman and giant, Patrick Cotter (alias O’Brien) had been laid to rest more than 200 years before. It is here that I heard snippets of his story and wanted to learn more.
Early Life in Ireland
Born in 1760 in the small seaside town of Kinsale, County Cork, Patrick Cotter was a man who stood out, quite literally, from a very young age. He was born into a farming family of regular height, but by the time he was a teenager he already towered over the adults in the town and according to some already over 7 foot tall. In the late 18th century, life in rural Ireland was tough, and opportunities for someone visibly different like Patrick were limited. He did find some work and by the age of 18 years old he worked as a bricklayer, stonemason and plasterer and was famed in the town for his ability to plaster ceilings and slate shed roofs without needing to use a ladder.
In 1779, Patrick’s size brought him to the attention of a travelling showman from Bristol, who approached his father, offering to pay him £50 a year for a 3-year contract, to be allowed to show him in exhibitions in England. This was a lot of money to the Cotter family and he made the decision to take up the showman’s offer and move to Bristol, seeking a place where his unique stature could provide him with a livelihood.
Hitting Rock Bottom in Bristol
On his arrival in Bristol, Cotter quickly found himself exploited by his boss, who ‘sublet’ him to another showman. Cotter refused to be exhibited without receiving some payment for himself besides his food, clothing and lodging, as stipulated in the contract that had been made with his father. For trying to resist this exploitation, the showman falsely charged him with fictitious debt and had him thrown into debtors’ prison.
While in prison Cotter’s fortune would change. It is here he met a local businessman and philanthropist, William Watts, who looked kindly upon Cotter and his injustice and sought to end his contract, pay his debts and secure his release. Once released, Watts also provided Cotter with funds to set himself up on his own as an independent showman. Cotter was determined to make a life for himself and pull himself out from poverty and immediately set about performing.
Rise to Fame
Following his release from prison, Cotter began performing and became a popular attraction at the St James’ and Temple fairs in Bristol. On his first occasion of performing at St James’ Fair, he made £30 in three days, which is equivalent to almost £5,000 in today’s money.
Patrick quickly became a sensation in Bristol and he adopted the stage name “O’Brien”, linked to the dynasty of Irish king Brian Boru, likely to add a touch of noble allure to his persona. In Bristol, Cotter found a community that welcomed him and provided opportunities to showcase his unusual height. He performed in public exhibitions, which were a popular form of entertainment in the 18th century.
Crowds flocked to see him perform, marvelling at his height and strength. He was a gentle giant, using his fame to earn a living for himself in a time when most giants were exploited or treated as mere human curiosities. Cotter was a skilled businessman and showman, adding additional inches to his height in his adverts, and he toured cities in the England, advertising and showing himself for a fee. He toured for nearly 25 years, living in Bristol, London and
Essex.
Life of the Gentle Giant
His visible difference and unique stature brought him great success but also many challenges. He would spend most of his time indoors, likely hidden away in order to protect his business and to avoid the stares of passersby. He would take walks late at night in local woods, to help him sleep. These late-night walks could be dangerous, and one night his carriage to the woods was stopped by a highwayman looking to rob him. Once Cotter looked out of the carriage, the startled highwayman ran away in fright. Cotter also enjoyed his pipe and could be seen by watchmen late at night lighting his pipe in the flames of street lamps.
Cotter was described by those who knew him as well-mannered, intelligent and even tempered. He married in 1876 at St Pancras Church to a young woman named Cave, who lived in Piccadilly. Sadly, Cotter experienced problems with his health, likely due to his large size. Experts think that this was due to a pituitary condition called ‘acromegaly’. There are reports that he often needed to walk with the support of two men under his shoulders and would often need to rest holding the top of a door below him, so it is clear his mobility was affected by his height.
Bristol: A City Close to His Heart
Towards the end of his life, Cotter was an affluent man and settled in Bristol. He even had money enough to invest in property in Kingsdown, where he owned two houses. Patrick Cotter O'Brien's affection for Bristol was reciprocated by the city's residents, who celebrated him not only as a curiosity but as a cherished member of the community. He became a familiar figure in the city, and his performances were always well attended. O'Brian's decision to settle in Bristol was influenced by the city's vibrant culture and its historical connections with Ireland. The strong trade links between Bristol and Irish ports like Cork meant that Irish immigrants and visitors were a common presence in the city, fostering a shared cultural heritage.
The Fear of Anatomists and Resurrectionists
Despite his success, Cotter’s life in England was not without its fears. The 18th century was a time of great medical curiosity and an age of scientific discovery. Anatomists were keen to study human bodies, especially prized were unusual bodies, and ‘Resurrectionists’, or ‘body snatchers’, could make a lucrative business out of supplying anatomists with fresh corpses. Cotter was acutely aware that because of his unique physique he could become a prime target after his death.
His fears were not unfounded, as during his lifetime, another famed Irish Giant, Charles Byrne (alias O’Brien) had been closely watched when nearing his end of life in 1783, by a man employed by famous anatomist and founder of the Hunterian Museum, John Hunter. Byrne had a great fear of being dissected after his death and had paid and arranged for fishermen to bury him far out to see where Resurrection Men could not find him. Hunter’s man, however, found the drinking den of these fishermen and bribed them with a large sum of money to give up Byrne’s body. His body was then rushed to Hunter’s home in Earl’s Court where it was boiled and his skeleton prepared for display. The skeleton remained on display in the Hunterian Museum until very recently, and although no longer on display, is still retained for “medical research”.
On 8th September 1806, Patrick Cotter O’Brien passed away at the relatively young age of 46 in Bristol, likely due to the physical strains associated with his extraordinary height, a fate common among the world's tallest individuals. He was affluent and left £2000 to his mother in his will. This is equivalent to around £200,000 today. Grateful to the end, he even remembered his early benefactor Watts in his will.
Cotter’s fear of anatomists and body-snatchers was understandable and well-founded, and he left detailed instructions regarding his burial wishes. He was encased in three coffins; an inner made of wood, the middle made of lead, all enclosed in one of “Mr Panting’s Stupendous Coffins”. The outer coffin was said to measure 9 foot 5 inches long. No hearse long enough could be found for him, and part of the coffin protruding from the carriage had to be covered with black cloth. His coffin was carried by 14 pallbearers and lowered into a 12 foot deep shaft dug into the solid rock beneath The Roman Catholic Chapel on Trenchard Street in Bristol. Iron bars were then embedded in concrete above the grave. The burial took place very early in the morning at around 6am to prevent a crowd gathering as much as was possible. However, due to Cotter’s fame and the affection the people of Bristol had for him, a crowd of over 2,000 people gathered and police were called in to assist with keeping order. This strategy deprived the anatomists of his body, though some still tried to obtain it.
A pupil of local anatomist, Richard Smith, reported that his tutor spent his life complaining about losing the prize specimen of Patrick Cotter’s body. Apparently, he had attempted to obtain it by going to the great length of renting a house on the opposite side of the street in order to dig a tunnel under the road to remove the body in secret. To his dismay, he discovered that the burial was so deep, and the rock so hard, that he would have had to blast with gunpowder, which would have given him away. He therefore gave up.
Discovery and Study in the 20th Century
Cotter laid undisturbed for around 100 years, when in 1906 his skeleton was discovered by workmen laying drains. Finally, his remains were measured and photographed by a latter-day anatomist, Professor Fawcett. He was once again disinterred and examined in 1972, modern scientists hoping to learn more about the condition that so dramatically shaped his life. Analysis of Cotter’s remains showed that he was between 7 foot 10 inches and 8 foot 1 inch tall and that he was a pituitary giant who later suffered from acromegaly. His bones also indicated he suffered osteoarthritis, which would have made walking considerably difficult for him in life. Although Patrick Cotter O’Brien escaped the anatomists many years, it seems ultimately, they got what they wanted from him in time by disturbing his rest.
The Giant’s Legacy
As I stand on Trenchard Street, opposite the site of the old Roman Catholic Chapel, I reflect on Patrick Cotter O’Brien’s life story; one of resilience and adaptability. From the green fields of Ireland to the cobbled streets of Bristol, he carved out a life that defied the limitations imposed by his condition. His efforts to protect his body from posthumous exploitation reflect a deep-seated desire for dignity and respect, both in life and in death.
Patrick Cotter O'Brien's story is not just one of individual fascination but also of the broader historical and cultural ties between Bristol and Ireland. His life in Bristol exemplifies the enduring connections between the two, rooted in centuries of trade, migration, and shared history. The city's embrace of O'Brien, an Irish immigrant, underscores a legacy of inclusivity and mutual respect that continues to define the relationship between Bristol and Ireland today. The Irish Giant may have lived centuries ago, but his story continues to resonate, reminding us of the extraordinary lives that history sometimes tucks away, waiting to be rediscovered.
Reference list
- Bondeson, J. (2019). A Cabinet of Medical Curiosities. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
- Bush, A. (2023). Patrick Cotter O’Brien, ‘The Bristol Giant’ (1760 - 1806). [online] Bristol Museums. Available at: https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/blog/patrick-cotter-obrien-the-bristol-giant/ [Accessed 26 Jul. 2024].
- DeBarra, D. (2006). Waking the Dead: Standing on the Bones of Irish Giants. [online] Blather.
Available at: http://www.blather.net/theblather/2006/02/waking_the_dead_standing_on_th/ [Accessed 26 Jul. 2024]. - Directlocalbristol.co.uk (2024). A record number of people turned out in Bristol. [online] Direct Local Bristol Magazines. Available at: https://directlocalbristol.co.uk/bristol-news/record-number-bristol/ [Accessed 26 Jul. 2024].
- Fawcett, E. (1909). Patrick Cotter-The Bristol Giant. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 39, p.196. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/2843291.
- G. Frankcom and Musgrave, J.H. (1976). The Irish Giant. Bloomsbury Academic.
- Lonergan, A. (2016). Patrick Cotter O’Brien: 8 enormous facts about the Irishman who was the first person to surpass eight feet in height. [online] The Irish Post. Available at: https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/eight-facts-about-patrick-cotter-obrien-the-eight-foot-tall-irishman-who-died-in-1806-100510 [Accessed 26 Jul. 2024].
- Mellor, P. and Wright, M. (2009). Kingsdown : Bristol’s vertical suburb. Chichester, West Sussex, England: Phillimore.
- Smith, B. (2023). Bristol and Ireland in the Middle Ages - Bristol and Avon Archaeological Society. [online] The Bristol and Avon Archaeological Society. Available at: https://bristolandavonarchaeology.org.uk/event-reviews/bristol-and-ireland-in-the-middle-ages/ [Accessed 26 Jul. 2024].
- Timbs, J. (1875). English Eccentrics and Eccentricities. Chatto and Windus.
- Wilkins, R. (1992). The fireside book of death. London: Warner Books.
- Wood, E.J. (2020). Giants And Dwarfs. S.L.: Salzwasser-Verlag Gmbh.
