In 2022, I reflect with appreciation on the progress of our society, knowing that progress takes many forms. While it is true that some aspects of the past could have been better, we must also recognize that some things are better left behind in history.
In the 19th century, “curiosity shows” were common in American culture, where oddities were displayed for public entertainment. These traveling spectacles often featured people with unusual appearances or physical conditions, including bearded women and conjoined twins. One such person was Mary Ann Bevan, who earned the title of “the world’s ugliest woman” and became part of these exploitative spectacles. Her life story is a stark reminder of the importance of learning from history’s darkest chapters.
Throughout history, humans have often been intrigued by those who are different, whether because of their ethnicity or physical appearance. However, taking advantage of this curiosity, especially by exploiting people’s differences, has always been ethically wrong. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, people with physical deformities were frequently featured in “curiosity exhibitions”, a disturbing trend that persisted until the mid-1900s without much public outcry.
Mary Ann Bevan’s story is set against this troubling backdrop. Born Mary Ann Webster on 20 December 1874 in Plaistow, East London, she grew up in a working-class family with eight children. Unlike many of her siblings, Mary Ann pursued an education and became a nurse in 1894.
Her life took a turn for the better when she married Thomas Bevan in 1902 and they had four children together. However, tragedy struck when Thomas died of a stroke in 1916, leaving Mary Ann to raise her children alone. Around the same time, Mary Ann began experiencing symptoms of a rare condition called acromegaly, which caused a drastic change in her physical appearance.
Acromegaly is a disease that results from an overproduction of growth hormones, leading to enlarged bones and tissues. Mary Ann began showing signs of the disease around the age of 32. Due to her limited medical knowledge at the time, she struggled to find effective treatment. Unlike most cases of acromegaly, which typically develop after puberty, Mary Ann’s symptoms affected her face, changing her features in ways that made her unrecognizable to those who knew her.
At first, Mary Ann found comfort in her family and received support from her husband. But after his death, her condition worsened, making it difficult for her to work. To support her children, she answered an ad seeking the “ugliest woman” for a circus performance.
Claude Bartram, an agent for Barnum and Bailey, saw her photo and offered her a contract that included a salary, travel expenses and the proceeds from the sale of postcards. In 1920, Mary Ann traveled to America, where she became known as “the ugliest woman in the world” and performed at the Coney Island Circus, gaining considerable fame.
Despite the ethical issues surrounding the exploitation of people with physical differences, Mary Ann became a popular attraction and earned a substantial income. The money she earned allowed her to send her children to school in England, fulfilling her role as a devoted mother. Mary Ann’s strength and sacrifice demonstrated the true meaning of beauty and love.
After a final exhibition in France in 1925, Mary Ann moved to New York and continued to perform at the Dreamland Show on Coney Island. She died in 1933 at the age of 59 of natural causes and was buried in South London, fulfilling her wish to be buried in her native country.
Mary Ann Bevan’s life is a powerful testament to her unwavering devotion to her children and her resilience in the face of unimaginable odds. In an age without modern conveniences, she worked tirelessly to provide for her family, embodying a mother’s selflessness. Her story remains a tribute to a woman who, despite the labels society imposed on her, demonstrated immense courage and love. May she rest in peace, honored for her sacrifice and dedication.