P. T. Barnum

NAME Phineas Taylor Barnum, commonly known as P.T. Barnum

WHAT FAMOUS FOR P.T. Barnum is famous for his role as a showman, entrepreneur, and founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, known as "The Greatest Show on Earth."

BIRTH Phineas Taylor Barnum was born on July 5, 1810, in Bethel, Connecticut, United States.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Barnum was the son of innkeeper and store owner Philo Barnum and his wife, Irene Taylor. His family was of English descent and lived in modest circumstances.

CHILDHOOD Barnum's childhood was marked by curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit. He engaged in various money-making ventures from a young age.

EDUCATION Barnum's formal education was limited, and he primarily learned from practical experiences and self-education.

CAREER RECORD P.T. Barnum's career was diverse and marked by his success as a showman, museum owner, promoter, and circus entrepreneur. Here's his resume:

Briefly apprenticed to a storekeeper.

Owned a weekly newspaper known for sensational stories (early 1830s)

Exhibited hoaxes like the Feejee Mermaid and Joice Heth, the "161-year-old nursemaid of George Washington" (1835 onwards)

Founded the Barnum American Museum in New York City, featuring oddities and curiosities (1841-1868)

Toured with Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightingale" (1850)

Merged his museum with James A. Bailey's circus to form the world-renowned Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1871)

Served as Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut (1875-1876)

Authored several books, including his autobiography "Struggles and Triumphs" (1869)

APPEARANCE Photographs depict Barnum as a well-dressed man with a beard and mustache. He was a charismatic and flamboyant figure, with a distinctive appearance characterized by his bold manner and expressive features. 

Barnum in 1851

FASHION Barnum embraced a flashy and theatrical sense of fashion, consistent with his role as a showman and promoter.

CHARACTER P.T. Barnum was known for his showmanship, charisma, and an eye for the sensational. He was a master marketer and self-promoter, often blurring the lines between truth and exaggeration ("There's a sucker born every minute"). However, he also displayed a keen business sense and a genuine interest in entertainment.

Bold and ambitious, Barnum possessed an enterprising spirit and a knack for captivating audiences.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Barnum had a knack for witty remarks and playful self-deprecation. He understood the power of entertainment and often employed humor to engage audiences..

RELATIONSHIPS P.T. Barnum married Charity Hallett on November 8, 1829, in New York. The marriage took place at Charity's uncle's house in New York City. At the time of their marriage, Barnum was 19 years old, while Charity was 21.

None of Barnum's family attended the wedding, and his mother reportedly pretended to know nothing about it. This suggests there may have been some family tension surrounding the marriage.

Charity Hallett was born on October 28, 1808, and she was a tailoress from Bethel, Connecticut, where she met Barnum. The couple remained married for 44 years until Charity's death on November 19, 1873. They had four daughters together, three of whom lived to adulthood.

In the 1870s, Charity had been diagnosed with heart disease and she died of paralysis at the family residence, 438 Fifth Avenue in New York City. At the time of her death, P.T. Barnum was believed to be in Europe, possibly attending a World's Fair in Vienna

After Charity's death in 1873, Barnum snagged Nancy Fish, a socialite from England 40 years his junior. They tied the knot on February 14, 1874 and by all accounts, it was a happy marriage, though one wonders if maybe Mrs. Barnum number two ever questioned the ethics of her husband's, shall we say, creatively curated exhibits.

Barnum formed partnerships with various business associates and performers throughout his career.

MONEY AND FAME Barnum was driven by a desire for wealth and fame, leveraging his marketing skills to achieve widespread recognition and financial success.

Barnum's American Museum was a smash hit, but its popularity presented a delightful problem. Crowds lingered for hours, captivated by the bearded lady or the three-legged cow. This wasn't ideal for business – new suckers, er, customers, were waiting outside! So, Barnum, ever the resourceful fellow,  plastered signs throughout the museum that politely directed lingering guests: "This Way to the Egress."

Now, "egress" wasn't exactly a household word back then. Most folks assumed it was just another peculiar exhibit, perhaps a fantastical land populated by backwards-walking people or something. So, they merrily followed the signs, only to find themselves deposited, blinking and slightly bewildered, back on the bustling sidewalk.  Much to their chagrin, re-entry required another dip into their pockets. Barnum, that sly dog, had  turned a necessary evil into a clever – and profitable –  way to keep the crowds flowing.

FOOD AND DRINK Barnum enjoyed the finer things in life and entertained lavishly, reflecting his status as a prominent public figure.

MUSIC AND ARTS Barnum appreciated the arts and incorporated music, theatrical performances, and visual spectacles into his circus shows and museum exhibits.

P.T. Barnum, ever the nose for a curious character, stumbled upon Joice Heth in the late 1830s. This blind, near-motionless former slave claimed the rather tall tale of being 161 years old and George Washington's own nursemaid. Barnum, ever the showman in the making, seized the opportunity and launched his career by flogging this marvel (or medical marvel, depending on your gullibility) to the public.

By 1841, Barnum had enough chutzpah (and presumably cash) to buy Scudder's American Museum in New York City. It wasn't your typical museum, mind you. Think more along the lines of a chaotic, crowd-pleasing smorgasbord of entertainment. Picture a zoo with a side of mummies, a lecture hall next door to a wax museum, the whole thing sprinkled with "freaks" and theatrical performances. At its peak, this glorious hodgepodge drew in a staggering 15,000 gawkers a day. Sadly, it all went up in smoke on July 13, 1865, one of the most spectacular fires New York had ever seen. (Though, you have to admit, a burning museum filled with "oddities" sounds like something Barnum himself might have dreamed up for a show.)

Speaking of dreams, Barnum had a knack for conjuring them for others. In 1850, he whisked Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightingale," across the Atlantic, showering her with a then-unheard-of $1,000 a night for 150 nights. She eventually left New York after her unprecedented two-year American tour, completing it on May 29, 1852. 

Castle Garden, New York, venue of Lind's first American concerts

But Barnum wasn't done there. By 1871, he'd outdone himself, creating the self-proclaimed "Greatest Show on Earth." Imagine a parade of marvels: General Tom Thumb, the pint-sized celebrity, a full-fledged circus, a menagerie of exotic beasts, and a collection of "freaks," all crammed into a hundred train cars. He even managed to snag Jumbo, the colossal elephant, and the Siamese twins, Chang and Eng, for good measure, feeding America's insatiable appetite for the extraordinary.

Barnum with General Tom Thumb

LITERATURE Barnum was an avid reader and writer, publishing several books, including his autobiography and works on entertainment and business.

His 1854 autobiography sold more than one million copies over the course of numerous revisions.

NATURE Barnum had a fascination with exotic animals and natural curiosities, which he often showcased in his exhibits and shows.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Barnum's main hobby and passion were his entrepreneurial ventures, which consumed much of his time and energy.

SCIENCE AND MATHS While not formally trained in science or mathematics, Barnum applied practical knowledge and ingenuity to his business ventures.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Barnum's worldview was shaped by a belief in the power of entertainment and spectacle to captivate and inspire audiences.

POLITICS Barnum dabbled in politics as a liberal Republican, serving in the Connecticut legislature and even becoming Mayor of Bridgeport. He was a champion of abolishing slavery, a stance that aligns oddly with his later crusade to outlaw contraception in Connecticut (a law that stuck around until the swinging sixties!).

SCANDAL His use of hoaxes and sensational exhibits caused controversy and accusations of deception. However, he often admitted to the fabricated nature of his displays, using the term "humbug" as a marketing tool.

MILITARY RECORD Barnum did not have a military career.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Barnum maintained good health for much of his life, although he experienced health issues later in his career.

HOMES P.T. Barnum wasn't tied down to one place throughout his life. His career as a showman and businessman kept him on the move, reflected in his various residences:

Early Life (Connecticut): Born and raised in Bethel, Connecticut.

New York City : Established his famous Barnum American Museum in New York City, residing there during this period.  He lived at 438 Fifth Avenue in New York City during the early 1870s. 

Travels (Throughout Career): Touring with exhibits and the later circus would have involved stays in countless hotels and temporary lodgings across the US and abroad.

Bridgeport, Connecticut (Later Life): After achieving success, Barnum settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut, even serving as Mayor for a time. He constructed four notable mansions, each a testament to his evolving wealth and tastes.

Iranistan (1848-1857): This Moorish Revival masterpiece, inspired by the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England, stood at the corner of Fairfield Avenue and Iranistan Avenue. Costing a staggering $150,000 (equivalent to over $4 million today), it was tragically destroyed by fire on December 17, 1857.

Book engraving of Iranistan, P.T. Barnum's residence in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1848

Lindencroft (1860-1869): Located just 500 yards west of Iranistan, between Fairfield Avenue and State Street, this Italianate-style home provided shelter to Barnum during the Civil War era.

Waldemere (1869-1888): A grand, ornate Victorian "gingerbread" house by Long Island Sound, Waldemere was Barnum's residence while he served as mayor of Bridgeport and during his early circus years. It stood on what is now Marina Circle, adjacent to Seaside Park.

Marina (1888-1891): Barnum's final abode, Marina was built next door to Waldemere on Marina Circle. More modern and comfortable than his previous homes, it was his residence until his death in 1891. Sadly, it was demolished in the 1960s by the University of Bridgeport.

TRAVEL Travel was woven into the very fabric of Barnum's life and career:

Early Ventures: He might have traveled within the US to exhibit his hoaxes like the Feejee Mermaid.

Jenny Lind Tour (1850): A significant venture involved touring extensively with the Swedish singer Jenny Lind across the US.

Museum Acquisitions: Acquiring oddities and curiosities for his museum likely involved travel or dealings with international agents.

Circus Expansion: The growth of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus undoubtedly involved travel to new locations across the country.

DEATH Barnum suffered a stroke in 1890 during a performance. He quietly passed away at 6:22 pm at Marina, his residence in Bridgeport, Connecticut on April 7, 1891 aged 80.

Barnum was buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut, a cemetery he designed.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Barnum's life and legacy continue to captivate audiences. Numerous biographies delve into his life's story, while documentaries explore his impact on entertainment and showmanship.

The Greatest Showman (2017): This musical film, though a fictionalized account, draws inspiration from Barnum's life and the world of the circus.

ACHIEVEMENTS P.T. Barnum's legacy extends far beyond the flamboyant showmanship he was known for:

Revolutionized Entertainment: He transformed entertainment with his innovative museums and the awe-inspiring spectacle of the circus.

Marketing Pioneer: His strategies, though sometimes controversial, laid the groundwork for modern advertising techniques.

Preservation of Oddities: His museums, despite their sensational elements, did preserve some historical artifacts and curiosities for public viewing.

Circus Industry Legacy: By merging his museum with the Ringling Bros. circus, he created the foundation for the modern circus industry, a form of entertainment that continues to capture imaginations today.