Hans Langseth
Holder of record for longest beard (1846–1927)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hans Nilson Langseth (July 14, 1846 – November 10, 1927) was a Norwegian-American who held the record for the world's longest beard.[1]
July 14, 1846
Hans Langseth | |
|---|---|
Hans Langseth c. 1912 | |
| Born | Hans Nilson Langseth July 14, 1846 Eidsvoll, Akershus, Union of Sweden and Norway |
| Died | November 10, 1927 (aged 81) Wyndmere, North Dakota, United States |
Burial place | Elk Creek Church Cemetery |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Known for | Longest beard |
| Spouse | Anna Berntsen |
Biography
Langseth was born in Eidsvoll, Norway, on July 14, 1846, and immigrated to the United States in 1867. He married Anna Berntsen in 1870 and worked as a farmer in Elkton Township, Minnesota. At the age of 19 years old, he began to grow a beard, and never shaved again until his death.[2] In his later life, he traveled around the United States as part of a freak show showing off his beard.[3]
Langseth died of complications of old age[4] at age 81 in Wyndmere, North Dakota, on November 10, 1927, and is buried in Elk Creek Church Cemetery in Kensett, Iowa.[5] When he died, his beard measured 5.33 meters (17.5 ft).[6][7] It was donated to the Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution in 1967.[8][9]
