Petrus Gonsalvus

Petrus Gonsalvus also known as Pedro Gonzales is a man suffering from a case of hypertrichosis defined as an abnormal amount of hair growth.  Unfortunately during his time, his case is not fully understood by the people.  Ulisse Aldrovandi, an Italian naturalist referred to him as “The man of the woods”

Petrus Gonsalvus was born in the city of Tenerife on 1537.  His life was well documented due to his condition; during that time it is considered as a werewolf syndrome.  Little did they know that the case of Gonsalvus was no more than a genetic defect and not of a curse or witchcraft.

Gonsalvus was the first ever human to be recorded with the genetic defect.  Hypertrichosis was also called as the Ambras Syndrome which was taken after his family that spent their lives living near the Ambras Castle.

Gonsalvus went to the court of the King of France, Henry II and was later sent to the court of Margaret of Parma where he got married and had children.    Since the genetic defect is hereditary, two of his children also acquired hypertrichosis and at least one of his grandchildren.

Gonsalvus together with his entire family finally settled on Italy.  Despite the fact that he was not normally treated by everyone due to his peculiar case, Gonsalvus was known to live a healthy life.