A Woman with Four Legs: The Extraordinary Life of Myrtle Corbin
Myrtle Corbin was born with a rare congenital condition known as dipygus, which resulted in two pelvises and four legs. While many viewed her unique appearance as a curiosity, others unfairly saw it as a deformity. Myrtle, however, chose a different path — one of resilience, self-acceptance, and remarkable achievement.
At just 13 years old, she joined a traveling sideshow, billed as the “Four-Legged Girl from Texas.” Audiences were fascinated, and her fame quickly grew. So popular was Myrtle that imitators and even parodies emerged, hoping to profit from her success.
By 19, she left the stage behind to pursue a quieter, more personal dream: marriage and family. She wed James Clinton Bicknell and, despite persistent rumors about her anatomy, went on to have five healthy children. Away from the spotlight, Myrtle was admired not only for her strength but also for her intelligence, musical talent, and grace.
Friends and neighbors remembered her as a capable homemaker, a thoughtful companion, and a woman who carried herself with quiet dignity. Though she had once been a star attraction, Myrtle found fulfillment in the everyday joys of family life.
In 1928, at the age of 59, she passed away from an infection. Her family, aware of her notoriety, took extraordinary precautions to protect her grave — pouring concrete into her coffin to prevent grave robbers from disturbing her rest.
Myrtle Corbin’s life is remembered as more than a medical rarity. It is a story of courage, perseverance, and the power of embracing one’s uniqueness while building a life filled with love and accomplishment.
