William Ball (Shropshire Giant)
William Ball | |
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A lithographic print at the Museum of the Gorge, Ironbridge | |
| Born | June 1795 |
| Died | June 1852 (aged 57) |
| Burial place | St Luke's Church, Doseley 52°39′22″N 2°28′42″W / 52.6561508°N 2.4782962°W |
| Nationality | English |
| Other names |
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| Occupation(s) | Iron puddler and shingler |
| Employer | Coalbrookdale Company |
| Known for | His great size, weight and strength |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Spouses |
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| Children |
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| Parent(s) | Thomas and Elizabeth Ball |
William Ball (1795–1852), the "Shropshire Giant", was a nineteenth-century iron puddler and "giant".
As an adult he was 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall and weighed more than forty stone (560 pounds, 254 kg). It was said that his "waistcoat was so big that three men could be buttoned into it". He was known locally as a cheerful man with a very pleasing disposition.