Barnum's Own Story

Phineas Taylor "P. T." Barnum (1810–1891) formed the circus that came to be known as The Greatest Show on Earth. A brash, larger-than-life entrepreneur, he transformed the nature of commercial entertainment in the 19th century, from his private museum of curiosities to his big-top extravaganzas. Barnum introduced audiences to General Tom Thumb, Jumbo the elephant, and Jenny Lind, "The Swedish nightingale," among other sensations. He concluded his career by serving two terms in the legislature of his home state, Connecticut, and as the mayor of Bridgeport.