1806 in Irish History — yesterday.ie

April 5, 1806

Birth of William Dool Killen

William Dool Killen, a prominent Presbyterian church historian, was born on April 5, 1806, in Ballymena, County Antrim. He was the elder son of John Killen, a merchant, and Martha Killen (née Dool). Killen received his education locally and at the Belfast Institution, eventually becoming a licensed Presbyterian minister in 1827. He later served as a professor of church history and president of the Presbyterian College in Belfast, making significant contributions to ecclesiastical historiography through his extensive publications.

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1806

Deaths

September 8, 1806

Death of Patrick Cotter O'Brien, the Irish Giant

Patrick Cotter O'Brien, known as the 'Bristol Giant' and 'Irish Giant,' died on September 8, 1806, in Hotwells, Bristol, at the age of 46. Born in Kinsale, County Cork, in 1760, he was one of the few individuals in medical history to verifiably reach a height of 8 feet or more. Cotter adopted the stage name O'Brien, claiming descent from Brian Boru, and earned a living exhibiting himself in sideshow circuses. He retired in 1804, believed to have suffered from gigantism. In his will, he requested to be entombed within twelve feet of solid rock to prevent exhumation for scientific research, a testament to his fear of grave-robbers. His remains were exhumed and reburied twice, confirming his height at approximately 8 feet 0 inches.

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