Edward Bright

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Edward Bright
Born1721
Maldon, Essex
Died10 November 1750(1750-11-10) (aged 28–29)
Essex
Other namesFat Man of Maldon
An engraving based on an illustration made six weeks before Bright's death

Edward Bright (1721–1750) was a grocer in

stone
(665 lb or 302 kg).

On 1 December 1750, a wager took place at the Black Bull Inn, in Maldon High Street. Bright's coat was said to be large enough to have seven men stand inside it, although this is also sometimes stated as seven hundred men because of a tale

Hundred (a parcel of land) fit into the waistcoat.[3]

Edward Bright Sculpture, Maldon Essex England

On 1 December 1751, a second wager was decided at the Kings Head Inn also in Maldon High Street, for a 'Ham and Chickens and some gallons of wine', when the following nine men fitted into his waistcoat:

  • Reverend Humphury Smythies
  • Mr Bridge, Coal Merchant
  • Joseph Pattison, Grocer
  • Jonas Malden Apothecary
  • Daniel Finch, Butcher
  • James Richardson, Farmer
  • John Crow, Parish Clerk
  • John Draper, Watchmaker
  • Thomas Williams, Custom Officer

Bright's portrait was painted in 1750 by David Ogborne[4] (1700–1768), after whose painting various etchings[5] were published, including:

  • 1750 – Irish
    James McArdell
    (1728–1765)
  • 1751 – Anthony Walker, published by John Hinton

In 2000, a bronze relief[6] of seven men in Bright's coat, by sculptor Catharni Stern,[7] was installed at the King's Head Centre off Maldon's High Street, near the site of Bright's home.

Edward Bright was buried in All Saints' church in Maldon on 12 November 1750, aged 29. He required a special coffin. The church records show that "A way was cut through the wall and staircase to let it down into the shop; it was drawn upon a carriage to the church and slid upon rollers to the vault made of brickwork, and interred by the help of a triangle and pulley. He was a very honest tradesman, a facetious companion, comely in his person, affable in his temper, a tender father and valuable friend."[8]

See also

  • List of the heaviest people

References

  1. ^ "Edward Bright of Maldon". www.itsaboutmaldon.co.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  2. ^ Maldon and Dengie Hundred Group Archived 6 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 7 December 2010
  3. ISSN 2159-8371
    .
  4. ^ "OGBORNE, DAVID 1740–1761, artist | Ogbourne, Ogborne Ogburn, formerly known as 'Ogbourne Chronicles'". Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  5. National Portrait Gallery (United Kingdom)
    , accessed 15 February 2007
  6. ^ Image of Stern's bronze relief accessed 7 December 2010
  7. ^ Maldon: Bronze of Fat man's coat, Evening Gazette, accessed 7 December 2010
  8. ^ "Edward Bright of Maldon". itsaboutmaldon.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
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