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Phineas T. Barnum (sometimes referred to as P.T. Barnum, was a showman, impresario, and promoter. He lived in the 1800s, and is best known as the founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. A larger than life figure who knew how to entertain an audience, create a lavish hoax, keep people guessing, and create news wherever he went, Barnum established traveling shows which featured a cast of characters that included everything to jugglers, magicians and clowns to "human curiosities" (people with unique deformities, such as conjoined twins-- then called "Siamese twins"; giants; albinos; and dwarfs-- then called "midgets"); today, putting people with disabilities on display would seem cruel and outrageous, but in the mid-1800s, working for a circus was one of the few ways disabled people could make any money at all.

Barnum also produced concerts, bringing the internationally famous European soprano Jenny Lind to sing for American audiences in 1850-1851. In an era long before movies, radio, and TV, Barnum brought entertainment to millions, and for all his excesses (he was quite a braggart and relentlessly promoted everything he did to the press), many Americans were grateful for whenever his traveling circus or other shows came to their town. (Note also that some of the quotes attributed to him are things he never said-- for example, while he counted on how gullible many people were and how willing to believe his hoaxes, he did not say that Americans were "suckers" (fools) nor did he claim that there was "a sucker born every minute.")

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Related Questions

What is pt barnum's first name?

Phineas Taylor Barnum


Who is PT Barnum's father's name?

Phineas Taylor Barnum


What do the P and T of p t Barnum mean?

Phineas


What does p.t. stand for in p.t. barnum?

Phineas Taylor


Who started the barnum and baily circus?

Phineas Taylor Barnum and James Bailey when they merged their two shows in 1881.


What was PT Barnum's childhood name?

His full name was Phineas Taylor Barnum, But i think that's his childhood name


What was Barnum sisters and brothers name?

P.T. Barnum had two siblings: a sister named Caroline Barnum and a brother named Phineas Barnum Jr. Caroline was known for her support of P.T. Barnum's ventures, while Phineas Jr. lived a more private life. Barnum's family played a role in his early life, but his fame was largely due to his own entrepreneurial efforts in entertainment.


What was pt Barnum father's profession?

P.T. Barnum's father, Phineas Taylor Barnum, was a farmer and a carpenter. He worked hard to provide for his family, but financial struggles were common during Barnum's early years. This background influenced P.T. Barnum's later entrepreneurial pursuits and his drive to succeed.


What were the first names of 19th Century circus fairground owner P T Barnum?

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What are Microsoft business ethics?

Those of Phineas T Barnum - "Don't give a sucker an even break."


What does the T in Phineas T Bluster stand for from the 1950s Howdy Doody TV program?

Who knows. it was a parody on Circus magnate Phineas T. Barnum of Barnum and Bailey fame- but it is understood Mr. Bluster did not like or cater to -Kids. Some have described him as an un-reformed Scrooge type character- maybe akin to the Child-hating bad guy Dishonest John in ( Beany and Cecil)


When was Eric Barnum born?

Eric Barnum was born in 1979.