Not only was Abraham Lincoln the tallest American president at 6′4″ but he was the president with the largest hands. Probably the largest of any world leader in history since Maximinus Thrax. I’m talking some serious NBA level paws. Like how Marilyn had legs for days, Abe had fingers for days.
Lincoln’s mitts were, in fact, so terrifyingly enormous that he would often hide them in his coat when meeting with people or slide them into his custom-made pockets to avoid frightening women and small children. Still, a few photographs have managed to capture their likeness for posterity.
I never knew this about Abraham Lincoln but it’s the reason why some historians have later speculated he may have suffered from Marfan’s syndrome, a genetic disease that can increase height and hand size significantly. I believe also included in the list of symptoms may be low muscle tone, which is why I doubt he had it — though slender, Lincoln was a physically strong man who wrestled as a youth and was quite good.
Honest Abe’s Shaq-sized claws are one of the lesser known facts of the late great emancipator and theatre enthusiast. Another would be his voice, which was rather high-pitched and did not seem to match his imposing frame.
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