Franklin D. Roosevelt - Looking Fear in the Face

This post was a massive endeavor, which I knew going in and why it's taken me two months to write. There was so much about Franklin Delano Roosevelt's life and career that I simply had to leave out. That includes photographs, too! Franklin is one of the most well-known visibly disabled men in recent history. He became the first - and only, to date - disabled man elected to the US Presidency. Not only that, he's the longest-serving President: elected to four terms and served the last twelve years of his life. Because of this, and his many Great Depression- and World War II-era policies, Franklin is a controversial President, to say the least. This post's focus is not about whether he was a "good" or "bad" President, but about his life prior to and then dealing with significant physical disability in adulthood.  He chose to publicly display a persona of "overcoming" his disability, while the reality was that it was with him every moment, influencing his every thought and movement.

 

Franklin, 1932 - age 50

Lazarus, Laloo, and Lillie - Historical Parasitic Twins

Today's post is another compilation, this time focusing on the phenomenon of parasitic twins (more on that below). Because this is so rare, there is not much research even today focusing on it. In history, there are a few cases that are well-known: Lazarus Colloredo, Laloo Ramparsad, and Lillie "Betty Lou" Williams. These people not only survived childhood but all went on to be famous as performers. They all appear to have died relatively young, in their 20s or 30s. Similar to other sideshow performers I've written about, these three people survived and made money in the only way that was deemed "acceptable" (and I use that very loosely) for them. Their stories span centuries and continents, connected by a rare physical difference and the determination to survive in a world that was disgusted by them.

 

A parasitic twin (also called "asymmetrical conjoined twin" or "vestigial twin") is a very rare type of conjoined twin, accounting for 10% of all conjoined twins. One fetus does not develop completely - essentially dying in the womb - and remains attached to the other fetus. The baby ("dominant twin") is born with limbs, organs, and other structures from the twin still attached. Because this happens so early in embryonic development, the structures can be unrecognizable as to what they are. The dominant twin is at high risk for medical complications and, in modern times, the parasitic twin is surgically removed.

Benjamin & Sarah Lay - Mr. and Mrs. Quaker Comet

In the future, if I am ever asked about "historical figures you'd love to meet," I will most definitely put Benjamin Lay on the list. He has been described as "a troublemaker at every moment of his life." He was one of the earliest Quakers to oppose slavery and did so with a militant zeal that few can emulate. He and his wife, Sarah, both were Quaker ministers with dwarfism. Originally this post was only about Benjamin, as it is very difficult to find information about Sarah, but I did my best to include her here as well. They were a fascinating couple who were key in advancing the cause of abolition in the first half of the eighteenth century.

Portrait of Benjamin, 1750s

 

The Bowes-Lyon and Fane Cousins - Hidden Away

Through most of history being disabled meant that just existing was an accomplishment. Just living your life was the best you could hope for. This is especially true for those who were intellectually disabled. Like today, they were incredibly vulnerable. They usually were institutionalized, sometimes from birth, and shut away from society. The story today is about five cousins who would have been forgotten if not for their royal connections. Even so, most information and photos I could find are about two of them, Nerissa and Katherine Bowes-Lyon, while the other three, Idonea, Rosemary, and Etheldreda Fane, are afterthoughts.

Nerissa and Katherine, undated

Dr. Sylvia Walker - A Guiding Light

 Disability history would be incomplete without delving into academia and policy development. These figures are often unknown by name, though their work permeates through every corner of society. Today's post is about Dr. Sylvia Walker, an extremely accomplished researcher and policy advocate. She was influential in forming the Americans with Disabilities Act and advised President Clinton on employment policies. She used her delightful blend of intelligence and humor to change the lives of people of color with disabilities.

 

Sylvia, undated

Harriet Tubman - An Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove

After many posts where there is an extreme lack of information, this one was a change of pace! The problem was now too much information to sift through. Harriet Tubman does have entire books written about her and you could certainly teach a course just focused on her. I tried to write as comprehensive of a post as I could about her without making it ridiculously long. Harriet is one of the most well-known Black American historical figures, and for good reason. Though she died 110 years ago, her story of fortitude in extreme circumstances will long outlast even those who are reading this now.

Harriet, 1895

Ella Harper & Myrtle Corbin - More Than a Curiosity

One challenge I have faced is that many stories, especially those of people who were exhibited in sideshows, just do not have that much information available. I still want to tell these stories, not to show off the so-called "freaks" and "oddities," but to demonstrate how life was like for anyone who was physically or mentally atypical. If you were born outside the norm in the 1800s and 1900s, it was extremely likely that at least some of your life would be spent making money (maybe) as an exhibit. I have decided to share some of these stories in combined posts called "More Than a Curiosity." I chose this title because, even today, many of these people are shown in listicles or videos as the subjects of shock, disgust, or "wtf?" They deserve better than that. Today's subjects, Ella Harper and Myrtle Corbin, lived at around the same time and were both born in Tennessee. Interestingly, both spent their teenage years successfully performing before retiring to quiet lives with their families (though Myrtle did perform during her 40s). They married, had children, and made their homes. They experienced all of the joys and sorrows of simply being human.

Ella Harper & Myrtle Corbin