P T Barnum

P T Barnum (1810-1891), full name Phineas Taylor Barnum, was a US showman. He was known for his extravagant advertising and exhibition of freaks at his museum in New York City.

He began with the exhibition of George Washington's reputed nurse in 1834; picked up Tom Thumb in 1844; engaged Jenny Lind for 100 concerts in 1849, and realised a fortune, which he lost.

He started in 1871 with his huge travelling show. He opened his circus that year billing it as "The Greatest Show on Earth". He founded the Barnum and Bailey circus ten years later with his former rival Anthony Bailey (1847-1906). He realised another fortune, and at the time of his dying his worth was five million dollars.

Wisdom & Quotes

• There is a sucker born every minute.

- attributed

Alfred de Musset