Martin Van Buren Bates was one of the most famous people of his era. He knew U.S. Presidents and European Royalty. He was also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest man in the world. Bates lived in Letcher County, Kentucky, where he was a young school teacher in a one-room schoolhouse south of Whitesburg. He later served for the Johnny Rebs during the Civil War. Following the War he toured with various circuses throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. But the greatest aspect of his life was his love affair and marriage to Anna Swan, the tallest woman in the world. Together they shared a special life and left behind a love story that needs to be heard.

Presented by Richard Crowe through the Kentucky Humanities Council.