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Mary Toft

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Oddity

The Resume

    (circa 1701-January 1763)
    Name sometimes given as Mary Tofts
    Resident of Godalming, England
    Claimed to have given birth to 16 rabbits (1726)

Why she might be annoying:

    She was described as having a 'stupid and sullen temper.'
    The rabbit births ceased when obstetrician Sir Richard Manningham had her put under round-the-clock surveillance.
    She was caught trying to bribe a porter to bring her a rabbit.
    She confessed to having hidden rabbit bodies in a pocket in her skirt, inserting them when not being watched and then falling into 'labor.'
    She was arrested for receiving stolen goods (1740).

Why she might not be annoying:

    She confessed partly because Manningham had threatened to conduct a very thorough - and no doubt painful - operation to examine her reproductive system.
    She successfully fooled King George's anatomist, Nathaniel St. Andre, who offered to secure a royal pension for her.
    She was featured in two engravings by William Hogarth.
    She inspired a number of bawdy songs and poems, including one by Alexander Pope.
    Collections of the poems, especially bound in rabbit skin, were sought-after collectibles.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 88.89% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 63 Votes: 50.79% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 25 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 22 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 50 Votes: 78.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 60 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 47 Votes: 61.70% Annoying