Alice Elizabeth Doherty

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AliceEDoherty

Alice Elizabeth Doherty (March 14, 1887 – June 13, 1933) was an American sideshow performer, notable for being the only known person with hypertrichosis lanuginosa born in the United States. She was often referred to as the "Minnesota Woolly Girl" due to her condition, which caused an abnormal amount of hair growth all over her body.

Early Life

Alice Elizabeth Doherty was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to normal-haired parents. From birth, she exhibited a rare condition known as hypertrichosis lanuginosa, characterized by the growth of fine, long, and silky hair. By the time she was two years old, her hair had grown to a length of about 5 inches (13 cm).

Career

Doherty's parents recognized the potential for her unique appearance to generate income and began exhibiting her in sideshows and circuses. She was often displayed in freak shows alongside other individuals with unusual physical characteristics. Her condition made her a popular attraction, and she toured extensively throughout the United States.

Personal Life

Despite her public life, little is known about Doherty's personal life. She retired from performing in her early twenties and lived a relatively private life thereafter. She passed away on June 13, 1933, in Dallas, Texas.

Legacy

Alice Elizabeth Doherty remains a notable figure in the history of sideshow performers. Her condition, hypertrichosis lanuginosa, continues to be a subject of medical and scientific interest. Doherty's life and career are often cited in discussions about the ethics of exhibiting individuals with medical conditions for entertainment purposes.

See Also

• Hypertrichosis
• Freak show
• Sideshow
• Circus