THE BALLYHOO
CONGRESS OF THE ODD
MYRTLE CORBIN – The Four-Legged Woman
Myrtle Corbin, was known as the Four-Legged Woman – however that moniker was slightly misleading. While at a glance one could plainly see four legs dangling beyond the hem of her dress – only one pair belonged to her, the other set to her dipygus twin sister.
Born in Lincoln County, TN in 1868 and spending most of her childhood in Blount County, AL – where she can be found in the 1880 census – her condition was incredibly rare. The tiny body of her twin was only fully developed from the waist down and even then it was malformed – tiny and possessing only three toes on each foot. Myrtle was able to control the limbs of her sister but was unable to use them for walking and she herself had a difficult time getting around as she was born with a clubbed foot. Technically, the ‘Four-Legged Woman’ only had one good, usable leg.
Myrtle was a popular attraction with P.T. Barnum, and later with Ringling Bros. and Coney Island. Her popularity was likely linked to her showmanship – she would often dress the extra limbs with socks and shoes matching her own and this gave her a truly surreal appearance. Myrtle was so popular that she was able to earn as much as $450 dollars a week.
At the age of 19 Myrtle married a doctor named Clinton Bicknell. It was then that other aspects of her bizarre anatomy became evident. It seems that her twin sister was also fully sexually formed – thus Myrtle possessed two vaginas. She had four daughters and a son and it has been rumored that three of her children were born from one set of organs and two from the other. Whether this is true or not; it is medically possible. In Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by George M. Gould and Walter L. Pyle it was observed that both vaginas menstruated – thus indicating both were possibly sexually functional.
Myrtle passed on May 6, 1928, surrounded by family and friends.
To learn more about Myrtle and other Marvels purchase Very Special People.
© 2007 – 2012, J Tithonus Pednaud. All rights reserved.
- MYRTLE CORBIN The Four-Legged Woman | The Human Marvels | America Most Wanted
- Edwina, Pretty Edwina | Madame Paradox
RECOMMENDED READING
American Sideshow: An Encyclopedia
Freak Show: Presenting Human Oddities for Amusement and Profit
Sideshow U.S.A.: Freaks and the American Cultural Imagination
Freaks, Geeks, and Strange Girls
Pickled Punks & Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midways of America
The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton: A True Story of Conjoined Twins
The Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top
Freakery: Cultural Spectacles of the Extraordinary Body
James Taylor's Shocked and Amazed: On & Off the Midway
THE AUTHOR
J Tithonus Pednaud has dedicated this site to highlighting the remarkable lives of those born exceedingly different. These so-called freaks and human oddities stand as uplifting testaments to human spirit and serve as inspiring examples of human tenacity.
16 Responses to “MYRTLE CORBIN – The Four-Legged Woman”
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I wonder if she ever met Francesco Lentini.
How intriguing!
Wonder if she had her periods at the same time or different times for each uterus. Poor thing…that could be PMS 2x!
I saw the video clip of parasitic twins you put on YouTube & noticed a pic of Myrtle that I’ve never seen before (the one with her in the black dress). I, too, am an avid fan of Myrtle Corbin & would love to have a copy of it. Is there any way you could possibly email one to me? Thanks!!
I am getting this photo tattooed this saturday along with the tocci twins. Can I post them when it is finished?
Hi,
The most important conclusion that one can take from this article is that a person with such peculiar “handycap” found someone who loved her.
Best regards,
José
My ex-husband used to claim that Myrtle was a relative of his (same last name). He said that she was buried in a cemetery in Cleburne, TX. I have looked around in two cemeteries in Cleburne and have yet to find a resting place. He could be pulling my leg (he was good at that) or could be true… Would be interesting to find out.
I found out last night that Myrtle is/was my
I have a cool picture of Myrtle, I think you’d like to see.