<Tr> <Th> Weight </Th> <Td> 490 lb (220 kg) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Parent (s) </Th> <Td> Harold Franklin Wadlow Addie Johnson </Td> </Tr> <P> Robert Pershing Wadlow (February 22, 1918--July 15, 1940), also known as the Alton Giant and the Giant of Illinois, was an American who became famous as the tallest person in recorded history for whom there is irrefutable evidence . He was born and raised in Alton, Illinois . </P> <P> Wadlow reached 8 ft 11.1 in (2.72 m) in height and weighed 490 lb (220 kg) at his death at age 22 . His great size and his continued growth in adulthood were due to hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone . He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death . </P>

When did the tallest man in the world die