The Life of P.T. Barnum: From Humble Beginnings to Circus Legend and the Dark History of the 'Freak Show'

In 1860, George Sherwood Stratton, better known as General Tom Thumb, was photographed standing on a chair between two guards.

Phineas Taylor Barnum, better known as P.T. Barnum, is a name synonymous with showmanship and entertainment. He was a pioneering figure in the world of entertainment and a master of promotion and spectacle. Barnum's life and career are fascinating tales of innovation, controversy, and a relentless pursuit of success.

Let's have a look at the early life of P.T. Barnum, his foray into the circus business, and the intricate world of his infamous "Freak Show."

Before the 'Freak Show' Early Life and Beginnings

P.T. Barnum was born on July 5, 1810, in Bethel, Connecticut. His father, Philo Barnum, was a farmer, innkeeper, and storekeeper, while his mother, Irene Taylor Barnum, was a homemaker. From an early age, Barnum displayed a knack for entrepreneurship. At the age of 12, after his father’s death, he started selling snacks and homemade cherry rum to soldiers stationed nearby. By 21, he owned a general store, a small lottery business, and even published a weekly newspaper called "The Herald of Freedom," which often led him into legal troubles due to his outspoken editorials.

Krao Farini, a hairy and flexible woman discovered in the Laotian jungle in 1885, was subsequently exhibited by P.T. Barnum as a "missing link."

Entry into Show Business

Barnum's first significant foray into the world of entertainment came in 1835 when he purchased the rights to exhibit Joice Heth, an elderly African-American woman who claimed to be 161 years old and the former nurse of George Washington. Although the claim was dubious, Barnum’s aggressive marketing drew massive crowds. This experience taught him the power of publicity and spectacle, key elements that would define his career.

In 1841, Barnum purchased Scudder's American Museum in New York City, which he transformed into Barnum’s American Museum. He filled the museum with a wide array of exhibits, including taxidermy animals, historical artifacts, and various oddities. However, it was his collection of human curiosities that truly captivated the public.

An albino performer from a Coney Island "freak" show was photographed alongside a fat lady, with a Flea Circus poster visible in the background.

The "Freak Show"

Barnum’s "Freak Show" featured individuals with unusual physical characteristics, unique abilities, or rare conditions. These performers were marketed as "freaks of nature" and became the main attraction at his museum. Some of the most famous acts included:

Charles Stratton ("General Tom Thumb"): Born in 1838, Stratton was a celebrated American dwarf who achieved international fame under the guidance of showman P.T. Barnum. Stratton stopped growing at six months old, reaching a maximum height of 2 feet 11 inches. Barnum discovered Stratton when he was just four years old and quickly saw his potential as a performer. Renaming him "General Tom Thumb," Barnum trained him in various acts, including singing, dancing, and impersonations, and showcased him in his American Museum in New York City.

Charles Stratton with Barnum

Their partnership was highly successful, with Tom Thumb becoming a star attraction and touring extensively in America and Europe. Barnum's astute marketing and promotion elevated Tom Thumb to celebrity status, and their relationship, both professional and personal, was pivotal in shaping the entertainment industry of the 19th century. Despite their business relationship, they shared a genuine friendship that lasted until Tom Thumb's untimely death in 1883.

Chang and Eng Bunker: Known as the original Siamese twins, they were conjoined twins from Siam (now Thailand) who were exhibited by Barnum in the 1860s. Joined at the sternum by a small band of cartilage, they shared a fused liver but were otherwise independent in their bodily functions. After being discovered by a British merchant in 1829, they were brought to the United States and toured extensively, showcasing their unique condition in a period when curiosity about medical anomalies was high. Their performances drew massive crowds, and they eventually took control of their own exhibition, significantly profiting from their appearances.

The Bunker brothers

In 1839, they retired from touring and settled in North Carolina, becoming successful farmers and even slave owners, a controversial aspect of their legacy. They married sisters Adelaide and Sarah Yates in 1843, fathering a total of 21 children. Their domestic lives were complex, as they managed dual households and navigated the societal challenges of their time.

Their relationship with P.T. Barnum began in the 1860s when financial difficulties and the need for medical care led them back to public exhibitions.

Josephine Clofullia ("The Bearded Lady"): Known for her beard, which she had since childhood, she became a star attraction.

Josephine Boisdechêne, born in Switzerland, was said to have been born hairy and reportedly sported a two-inch beard by the age of eight.

At the age of eight, she was sent to a boarding school in Geneva, where she received an education from the same institution attended by her mother. At the age of fourteen, following the deaths of her mother and fifth sibling, her father withdrew her from the school.

Although she felt at ease in her hometown, she often wore a handkerchief over the lower part of her face when out in public to avoid drawing attention or being mistaken for a man dressed as a woman.

In 1853, Clofullia, her husband, one of her two children, and her father relocated to the United States where they were introduced to P. T. Barnum. Barnum offered her a position at his American Museum, and she made her debut there in March 1853 as "The Bearded Lady of Geneva." During her nine-month stint, her son was also showcased as an attraction for a period, earning him the moniker "Infant Esau", inspired by the biblical figure.

Grady Stiles Jr., known as "Lobster Boy," inherited a congenital birth defect that ran in his family and inspired his stage name. As an adult in 1948, he struggled with alcoholism and eventually murdered his daughter's fiancé.

Barnum sought out individuals who would fit his show through various means. Sometimes, he discovered performers himself, as in the case of Charles Stratton, whom he found through family connections. Other times, he responded to offers from people who heard of his success and wanted to be part of his exhibitions. He also had agents and scouts who traveled to find potential attractions worldwide.

Frank Lentini was born with a parasitic twin, ultimately leaving him with a third leg. When his family moved to the United States from Italy, Lentini entered showbiz as "The Great Lentini," joining the Ringling Brothers Circus. 1914

P.T. Barnum's Treatment and Pay

The treatment of Barnum’s performers has been a subject of controversy. On one hand, Barnum provided a platform and steady income for people who might have otherwise struggled to find work due to their physical differences. For instance, Charles Stratton earned a substantial salary and lived a life of luxury. Barnum once said, "Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant," emphasizing the importance of financial independence, which he provided to some of his performers.

In 1938, Martin Laurello, known as the "Human Owl," showcased his ability to rotate his neck a full 180 degrees in Sam Wagner’s freak show at Coney Island.

On the other hand, many of these performers were subjected to exploitation and objectification. Their conditions and appearances were often exaggerated for entertainment purposes, and their personal lives were deeply invaded for the sake of publicity. The extent of their compensation varied; while stars like Tom Thumb became wealthy, others received modest pay. Critics argue that despite any financial benefits, the ethical implications of exhibiting human beings as curiosities cannot be overlooked.

In 1902, Felix Wehrle, who had Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, could stretch his skin to great lengths and was known as the "Elastic Man."

P.T. Barnum's influence on the entertainment industry is undeniable. His ability to blend entertainment with marketing innovation laid the groundwork for modern advertising and public relations. He famously declared, "There's a sucker born every minute," though there is no solid evidence he actually said it. Nonetheless, the phrase captures his understanding of human nature and the power of curiosity.

In 1917, Pasqual Pinon toured the United States as the "Two-Headed Mexican," adorning the tumor on his head with a wax face.

Barnum's legacy is also marked by his role in the formation of the modern circus. In 1871, he established "P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan & Hippodrome," which later became known as the "Greatest Show on Earth" after merging with James Bailey's circus. This circus continued to be a significant part of American culture until it closed in 2017.

1882, Myrtle Corbin, known as the "Four-Legged Girl From Texas," was born with a severe congenital deformity that resulted in two separate pelvises and a smaller set of legs.

P.T. Barnum was a complex figure whose contributions to entertainment were both groundbreaking and controversial. His early entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with a keen understanding of human nature, allowed him to build a career that left an indelible mark on history. His "Freak Show" remains a topic of ethical debate, reflecting the complicated legacy of a man who revolutionised the concept of spectacle and showmanship.

Below are a selection of images containing members of 'Freak Shows' across the years. Some with Barnum's circus, others were part of different travelling shows in the US.

Fannie Mills, known as "The Ohio Big Foot Girl," suffered from Milroy disease, leading to an abnormal enlargement of her legs and feet. 1890

Born into slavery, conjoined twins Millie and Christine McCoy were later sold to the circus, embarking on a 30-year journey around the world as a singing novelty act. This began in 1871.

In the early 1910s, an unidentified sideshow performer attracted crowds to Coney Island's Dreamland Trained Wild Animal Arena for a show in New York City.

In 1946, Horace Ridler, an English freak and sideshow performer extensively tattooed, showcased himself under the names "The Great Omi" or "The Zebra Man."

Madame Devere from Brooksville, Kentucky had a beard that was 15 inches long. Chicago, Illinois. 1890.

Director Tod Browning poses with cast members from his film Freaks. 1932.

A circus strongwoman balances a piano and pianist on her chest. Circa 1920.

The well-known circus sideshow performer Josephine-Joseph, whose half male, half female body earned them a role in the film Freaks. 1932.

In 1888, Russian performer Fedor Jeftichew, known as "Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Boy," rose to fame as a star performer in P.T. Barnum's sideshow. Years later, his unique appearance influenced the physical characteristics of Chewbacca in Star Wars.

American silent film actor and sideshow performer Jack Earle shares sweeping duties with two members of the Doll family while on tour with the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus. Circa 1938.

Julius Graubert (Right), the pinhead.

Contortionist at a "freak" show. 1925.

In 1890, American showman and circus owner P.T. Barnum advertised a Burmese family among his attractions, two of whom had faces covered in hair.

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Sources

1. Wilson, Robert. Barnum: An American Life. Simon & Schuster, 2019.

2. Kunhardt, Philip B., et al. P.T. Barnum: America's Greatest Showman. Alfred A. Knopf, 1995.

3. Harris, Neil. Humbug: The Art of P.T. Barnum. University of Chicago Press, 1981.

4. Saxon, A.H. P.T. Barnum: The Legend and the Man. Columbia University Press, 1989.