Robert Early (1849–1960) former oldest man ever validated posthumously
The Gerontology Research Group is delighted to announce the age validation of the former world’s oldest living person and oldest undisputed man ever, Robert Alexander Early.
Robert Alexander Early was born in Watts Creek, Whitley County, Kentucky, USA on 8 October 1849. He attended school in Williamsburg, and then started a decade-long teacher career after it.
In 1875, he married Eliza Ann Berry and had three children with her. In 1886, he was remarried to Sidney Ann King with whom he had six children with.
On 7 October 1959, following the death of 110-year-old Christina Karnebeek-Backs of the Netherlands, he became the world’s oldest living person.
On 8 October 1959, Early celebrated his 110th birthday, becoming the second man on record to attain this age and the first American male supercentenarian.
On 21 February 1960, at the age of 110 years, 136 days, he surpassed the final age of Geert Adriaans Boomgaard (1788–1899) of the Netherlands, becoming the oldest known undisputed man ever. On 8 October 1960, he became the first man ever to reach the age of 111 whose age is validated.
Robert Alexander Early died in Corbin, Kentucky, USA on 9 October 1960, one day after celebrating his 111th birthday.
He held the title of the oldest man ever until 16 November 1965, when his age surpassed by James King (1854–1967).
His age was verified by Robert Young, Daniel Gonik and Waclaw Jan Kroczek, and in cooperation with Guinness World Records, posthumously validated by the Gerontology Research Group with a retroactive date in the slot on 3 November 2019.
