Meet Josephine Myrtle Corbin, The Four-Legged Girl.

 Meet Josephine Myrtle Corbin, The Four-Legged Girl.



Josephine Myrtle Corbin was born on May 12, 1868, in Lincoln County, Tennessee, with a rare fetal anomaly known as dipygus. Her body was perfectly formed from her head down to her navel, below which it divided into two pelvises, and four lower limbs.

Myrtle Corbin was also born with two sets of internal and external reproductive anatomies—a condition caused by the incomplete splitting of her body during gestation. Despite her unusual physiology, Myrtle was otherwise healthy and strong, growing up as an intelligent and cheerful child.

Her parents, realizing their daughter’s uniqueness, introduced her to the public at a young age. By the time Myrtle was a teenager, she had become a prominent figure in sideshows and traveling exhibitions. Billed as the “Four-Legged Girl from Texas,” Myrtle attracted large crowds eager to see her extraordinary condition. She was described as charming, articulate, and confident, which endeared her to audiences and helped dispel any stigma surrounding her appearance. Her success brought financial stability to her family, a rarity during the time.

By the age of 19, Myrtle married a doctor named James Clinton Bicknell, who accepted her fully. Contrary to expectations of the time, Myrtle went on to lead a relatively normal and happy married life. Medical professionals were intrigued by her reproductive anatomy, as it allowed her to conceive and carry children. She gave birth to five children—four daughters and a son—though reports vary on whether all were delivered through her primary or secondary uterus.

Myrtle’s case became a point of fascination in medical history, with doctors documenting her life and condition extensively. She remained active and independent for much of her life, retiring from public exhibitions to focus on her family as she grew older. Myrtle lived until May 6, 1928, passing away at the age of 59 in Cleburne, Texas.

Josephine Myrtle Corbin’s story is one of resilience and acceptance in the face of adversity. Despite living in a time when physical anomalies were often misunderstood and stigmatized, Myrtle turned her uniqueness into strength, inspiring generations with her courage and grace. Her legacy endures as a reminder that beauty and strength come in many forms, often challenging society’s expectations of what is “normal.”

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