Martha Graham (supercentenarian)

Martha Graham
Born	December 1844
Died	June 25, 1959 (aged 114 years, 180 days) Fayetteville, North Carolina
Known for	Oldest person

Martha Graham (December 1844^[1][2] – June 25, 1959) was an American supercentenarian who became the oldest person ever recorded, a title she held until the 1980s, when she was surpassed by Mathew Beard.

Life and longevity

Little is known about Graham's life. She was born into slavery in December 1844.^[1][2] Upon the death of Betsy Baker on October 24, 1955, Graham became the oldest person in the world.^[2] Sometime in July 1958, Graham surpassed Delina Filkins's 1928 record as the oldest person ever recorded.^[3]

On June 25, 1959, Graham died, aged 114 years, c.180 days in Fayetteville, North Carolina.^[1] Succeeding her as oldest person alive was James Henry Brett, Jr., another American.^[4] However, since at least 2012, her and James Henry Brett, Jr.'s record was revoked by Guinness World Records.^[5]

Notes

1. McWhirter 1982, p. 26.
2. Folkard 2005, p. 22.
3. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2004, p. 160
4. Folkard 2005, p. 23.
5. Table C5, as of September 17, 2012 Gerontology Research Group

References

• Folkard, Claire (2005). Guinness World Records 2005. Guinness World Records. New York: Bantam Dell. ISBN 0-553-58810-9.
• "Living and All-Time World Longevity Record-Holders". Rejuvenation Research (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.) 7 (2): 160. July 2004. doi:10.1089/1549168041552973.
• McWhirter, Norris (1982). Guinness Book of World Records 1982. Guinness World Records. New York: Bantam Dell. ISBN 0-553-20356-8.

External links

• Supercentenarians Older Than 112 Years (June 29, 1977 – August 10, 2004)