P. T. Barnum

Early Life

P.T.Barnum, the man who became famous for promoting hoaxes.

P.T.Barnum was an American showman and businessman who was known for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus which was once the most famous travelling circus in the world.

Barnum was born in Bethel, Connecticut in 1810. He was the son of innkeeper, tailor and store keeper Philo Barnum and Philo’s second wife, Irene Taylor.

Career

P.T.Barnum started his career as a small-business owner in his early twenties and founded a weekly newspaper.

He moved to New York City in 1834 to begin his entertainment career by presenting Joice Heth, a woman he claimed was the 161-year-old nurse to George Washington.

This was his first taste of notoriety and set the stage for his future endeavors.

After this, in 1842, Barnum took over the American Museum in New York City, which he renamed after himself. He used the museum as a platform to promote hoaxes and human curiosities, such as the Fiji mermaid and General Tom Thumb1. His museum became a popular attraction, drawing tens of millions of visitors.

Barnum’s museum continued to grow over the years as he added more exhibits and attractions. He also organized tours and performances for some of his most famous attractions.

Barnum launched the Grand Travelling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan & Hippodrome in 1870 which later became known as the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

He partnered with James A. Bailey and James L. Hutchinson to create a spectacular show featuring his best acts. The circus travelled across the United States and Europe and attracted huge crowds wherever they went.

Barnum also tried his hand at politics when he served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives and as the mayor of Bridgeport.

Personal Life

P.T.Barnum married Charity Hallett in 1829. The couple had four children before his wife died in 1873.

After her death, he married Nancy Fish, the daughter of his close friend John Fish in 1874.

Sadly, P.T.Barnum passed away in 1891 at the age of 80.

Barnum’s life was filled with creativity, showmanship, and a knack for capturing the public’s imagination. His contributions to entertainment and marketing continue to be remembered and studied today.