The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-05
rne SEQ, c !. Giant.
DEATH OF WILLIAM CAMPBELL. THE HEAVIEST

MAN rs TIE WORLD.
The Newcastle Chronicle gives the fol-
lowing Interesting particulars OF the death
OF MIR. William Campbell, landlord OF the
4 uke-of- Wellington public house, High
Bridge, Newcastle. and widely known as
the Scottish giant, who died at that estab-
lishment on May %: He had been i'll about
ten days. the cause OF death, It Is supposed,
being congestion Of the lungs, the result
OF cold caught during his absence from
home. The deceased was a little more
than twenty-five years OF age, having been
born in Glasgow on the Cd OF April, 1856.
He came TO this town only November last,
and his extraordinary dimensions, which
soon found publicity, attracted crowds OF
visitors to the levees which he regularly
held in his newly-acquired house. Camp
bell was one OF family OF seven children,
none OF whom beside himself are Of more
than ordinary proportions. His father, who
for many years was manager OF Tenants
ciemicaLworks, in the city OF his birth, was
OF average weight, although he stood SIX
feet two inches high, while his mother
was rather under the usual weight OF
women. From his birth William Campbell
showed a remarkable disposition toward
stoutness. At nine months old, according
to his own statement, published IN the
form Of an photographed pamphlet, he
weighed ffty-siX pounds, which, at ten
wears OF age, had increased to 252 pounds.
and bis bodily size continued to deYelope
until, Immediately before his indisposl-
ton, it had attained the following marvel
lous measurements Ninety-six inches
round the shoulders, seyenty.six inches
round the chest, forty-seven inches round
the thigh, and thirty-tiye inches round the
calf Of the leg. He weighed 727 pounds,
and stood in his stockings five feet three
and half inches high; none OF these
startling dimensions having been apprecla-
bly, diminished during the illness which has
ended in his death. Campbell, we learn
was brought up as printer, but was COM
pelled from bis huge size TO give up that
occupation, to which be had become
much attached. The deceased was par
ticularly solicitous it should not be
inferred that bis unusual proper
lions were attributable to his mode OF
living, for he took exercise regularly and
subsisted on only ordinary fare. lie boosted
OF being "the largest subject in her Males
tvs realms" and some conception OF bis
claim to this may be gathered from the fact
that it REQUIRED more cloth for his one suit
of clothes than it took for three ordinarys
men. Campbell, before settling in New
castle, had travelled very extensively. Wis
tied all the principal places IN England, Ire
land, Scotland, Wales, and France, and
being seen in turn by many millions OF peo-
pie. About the beginning OF the present
year the deceased was visited, at the request
OF the Duke of Wellington. by local
medical gentleman, who, detailing bis
observations in the Lancet, stated that he
found the giant to be an intelligent
and agreeable young man, having good
health, as rule, but at the time suffer-
ing from the effects Of Il cold and erysipe-
latous affection OF the leg. His powers OF
locomotion, when well, were considerable,
taking into account his high bulk. Els an
petite was not more than an average one;
and although not an abstainer, he was
moderate in his use OF alcoholic drinks.
He admitted that he was a great smoker,
which, in the correspondents opinion,
might account for weak and rather lrregu-
lar cardiac action observed on ausculta-
ton; and the writer was further OF
the opinion that Mr.. CampbelPs occupa-
ton. however it might add to his
weight and popularity, was scarcely likely
to be conducive to his health and longevity.
From the publicity which his abnormal
bulk thus received, the giant was induced
to enter into an engagement for series OF
exhibitions at Egyptian Hall, London, from
which he has returned home but few
weeks ago. The journey probably con-
tributcd IN some measure to bis fatal COM
plant. MIR. Campbell was married, but has
left no ISSUE