Medical Anomaly. Known as the "Sicilian Fairy," she had the first recognized case of Primordial Dwarfism. Shortly before her death, her exact measurements were obtained by a journalist named William Jerdan. Her height was listed as 19-1/2 inches, her head circumference measured 12-3/8 inches, and her waist was 11-1/4 inches. She was exhibited throughout London as a curiosity by a man calling himself Dr. Gilligan, who claimed to be her father. Although she spoke English fluently, the high pitch of her voice made it necessary for someone to translate for her. Her life is the subject of the play "The Smallest Person" by Timothy Knapman, as well as several books. It was established that her dental age was three years (plus or minus six months) at death. It has been suggested that considerations may well have led Dr. Gilligan to misrepresent her age and that she was much younger than her stated age of nine. She reportedly died from consumption.
Medical Anomaly. Known as the "Sicilian Fairy," she had the first recognized case of Primordial Dwarfism. Shortly before her death, her exact measurements were obtained by a journalist named William Jerdan. Her height was listed as 19-1/2 inches, her head circumference measured 12-3/8 inches, and her waist was 11-1/4 inches. She was exhibited throughout London as a curiosity by a man calling himself Dr. Gilligan, who claimed to be her father. Although she spoke English fluently, the high pitch of her voice made it necessary for someone to translate for her. Her life is the subject of the play "The Smallest Person" by Timothy Knapman, as well as several books. It was established that her dental age was three years (plus or minus six months) at death. It has been suggested that considerations may well have led Dr. Gilligan to misrepresent her age and that she was much younger than her stated age of nine. She reportedly died from consumption.
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