Josephine Myrtle Corbin (1868–1928) was an American sideshow performer born with a rare congenital condition known as dipygus, resulting in two separate pelvises and four legs. Her condition made her a medical anomaly and a subject of fascination during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
🧬 Early Life and Medical Condition
Born on May 12, 1868, in Lincoln County, Tennessee, Myrtle was the youngest of her siblings. Her dipygus condition meant she had two sets of legs—her functional outer pair and a smaller, underdeveloped inner pair. Each pelvis had its own reproductive and excretory systems, making her a true medical anomaly. en.wikipedia.org
🎪 Sideshow Career
At age 13, Myrtle began performing in sideshows, billed as “The Four-Legged Girl from Texas.” Her father recognized the potential for income and publicity, leading to her early exposure in exhibitions. Myrtle’s cheerful demeanor and grace made her a popular attraction. She earned up to $450 a week, a significant sum at the time, and worked with renowned showman P.T. Barnum for four years.
💍 Personal Life and Family
At 18, Myrtle married Dr. James Clinton Bicknell, a physician. They had five children, four of whom survived infancy. Despite her unique anatomy, Myrtle led a relatively normal family life. Her condition did not prevent her from fulfilling her roles as a wife and mother. en.wikipedia.org
🏥 Later Years and Legacy
In 1909, Myrtle returned to the sideshow circuit, appearing at Huber’s Museum in New York and later at Dreamland Circus Sideshow in Coney Island. She retired for the final time around 1915. Myrtle passed away on May 6, 1928, from a streptococcal skin infection, a condition untreatable at the time. To prevent grave robbers, her casket was covered in concrete.
Myrtle Corbin’s life challenges perceptions of disability and human dignity. Her story is a testament to resilience, self-respect, and the ability to live life on one’s own terms.
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