Good to have Voltaire's number more or less confirmed! I think, given the 34 years between Voltaire's figure and the end of Fritz's life, we can account for the loss of an inch or two via spinal compression, as we've discussed. (This is more probable than the 5 inches between 5'7" and 5'2" that previously needed to be accounted for!)
Furthermore, Davidson tells me that Voltaire says he himself was 5'2" in English inches, which is 5'6" in English inches.
One, this means we now have Napoleon, Fritz, and Voltaire at pretty much exactly the same height.
Two, it makes it even more likely that Voltaire's number is reasonably precise: because if you know how tall you are, and someone else is about the same height as you, you're more likely to guess within an inch, than if someone is several inches taller or shorter than you and you're eyeballing it.
Of course, if you're mad at them and writing an anonymous pamphlet *while* employed by them, you might shave off an inch or two, but it doesn't seem like Voltaire did that. ;)
Heights, again
Good to have Voltaire's number more or less confirmed! I think, given the 34 years between Voltaire's figure and the end of Fritz's life, we can account for the loss of an inch or two via spinal compression, as we've discussed. (This is more probable than the 5 inches between 5'7" and 5'2" that previously needed to be accounted for!)
Furthermore, Davidson tells me that Voltaire says he himself was 5'2" in English inches, which is 5'6" in English inches.
One, this means we now have Napoleon, Fritz, and Voltaire at pretty much exactly the same height.
Two, it makes it even more likely that Voltaire's number is reasonably precise: because if you know how tall you are, and someone else is about the same height as you, you're more likely to guess within an inch, than if someone is several inches taller or shorter than you and you're eyeballing it.
Of course, if you're mad at them and writing an anonymous pamphlet *while* employed by them, you might shave off an inch or two, but it doesn't seem like Voltaire did that. ;)