Mr. Patrick O'Brien
Print
20/06/1804 (Published)
20/06/1804 (Published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Patrick O’Brien (1760-1806), born Patrick Cotter in Kinsale, Ireland in 1760, grew to the height of over eight foot and became known as the Irish Giant and the Bristol Giant. He was ‘discovered’ by an agent in Ireland who brought him to England to exhibit him in Bristol in 1782, and by about 1785 came to London where he exhibited himself very profitably at 30, St. James Street. ‘Giants’ bodies were of great interest to anatomists – something of which O’Brien was hugely fearful, and despite leaving enough money for a lead-lined casket and burial beneath rock, O’Brien’s body was still disinterred in 1972 for medical research.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Mr. Patrick O'Brien (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Engraving, printed ink on paper |
| Brief description | Patrick O'Brien, the celebrated Irish Giant. Etching by J. Parry, engraved by Anthony Van Assen and published by R.S. Kirby and I. Scott, 20 June 1804. Harry Beard Collection. |
| Physical description | Engraving of Patrick Cotter or Mr Patrick O'Brien, the celebrated Irish giant. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Patrick O’Brien (1760-1806), born Patrick Cotter in Kinsale, Ireland in 1760, grew to the height of over eight foot and became known as the Irish Giant and the Bristol Giant. He was ‘discovered’ by an agent in Ireland who brought him to England to exhibit him in Bristol in 1782, and by about 1785 came to London where he exhibited himself very profitably at 30, St. James Street. ‘Giants’ bodies were of great interest to anatomists – something of which O’Brien was hugely fearful, and despite leaving enough money for a lead-lined casket and burial beneath rock, O’Brien’s body was still disinterred in 1972 for medical research. |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1856-2012 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | January 2, 2013 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
