Deaths on April 7

P. T. Barnum, American businessman and politician, co-founded The Barnum & Bailey Circus (b. 1810)

Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 – April 7, 1891) was a quintessential American figure, a multifaceted individual whose life encapsulated the spirit of entrepreneurial innovation and entertainment in the 19th century. Known globally as a showman, businessman, and astute politician, Barnum left an indelible mark on popular culture. He is perhaps most famously remembered for his promotion of sensational hoaxes that captivated audiences and, of course, for co-founding the legendary Barnum & Bailey Circus, which enthralled generations from 1871 until its initial closure in 2017. Beyond the spectacle, Barnum was also an author, a publisher, and a philanthropist, yet he candidly described his primary identity, stating, "I am a showman by profession ... and all the gilding shall make nothing else of me." While his critics often suggested his sole personal aim was "to put money in his own coffers," his legacy is far more complex. Interestingly, he is widely, though incorrectly, credited with coining the cynical adage "There's a sucker born every minute," a phrase for which no definitive proof of his utterance has ever been found, despite its perfect alignment with his reputation for shrewd showmanship.

Early Life and the Genesis of Grand Entertainment

Barnum's journey into the world of spectacle began not on a grand stage, but in the realm of small business. In his early twenties, he established himself as a local entrepreneur and even founded a weekly newspaper, demonstrating an early flair for communication and public engagement. This period laid the groundwork for his eventual move to the bustling metropolis of New York City in 1834, a pivot that would fundamentally reshape his career. It was in New York that he truly embarked on his entertainment career, initially forming a variety troupe ambitiously named "Barnum's Grand Scientific and Musical Theater." This venture quickly evolved, and he soon acquired Scudder's American Museum, which he promptly rebranded as his own. The museum became his primary platform, a vibrant, if sometimes ethically ambiguous, showcase where he expertly promoted a blend of educational exhibits, genuine curiosities, and what became his signature — elaborate hoaxes. From the infamous "Fiji mermaid," a stitched-together creature of questionable origin, to the captivatingly tiny General Tom Thumb, Barnum understood the public's thirst for the extraordinary and the unexplained. His masterful ability to generate buzz reached its peak in 1850 when he orchestrated the American tour of Swedish opera sensation Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightingale." Barnum offered her an astonishing and unprecedented $1,000 per night for 150 performances, a sum that not only guaranteed her participation but also generated immense public fascination and set new benchmarks for celebrity performance fees.

Navigating Adversity and Public Service

Despite his meteoric rise, Barnum was not immune to financial peril. The 1850s brought significant economic reversals, primarily due to ill-advised investments, which plunged him into years of litigation and public humiliation. Yet, in a testament to his resilient spirit and adaptable nature, he leveraged his oratorical skills by embarking on a highly successful lecture tour as a temperance speaker, a surprising turn for a man known for theatrical exaggeration. This unexpected pivot allowed him to emerge from debt and rebuild his empire. During this period of recovery, his museum continued to innovate, notably adding America's first aquarium, a marvel of marine life, and significantly expanding its popular wax-figure department, continually drawing new crowds with fresh attractions.

A Statesman and a Showman

Beyond the glittering world of entertainment, Barnum also engaged deeply with civic life. In 1865, he served two terms in the Connecticut legislature as a Republican representative for Fairfield, Connecticut. During his time in office, he made a powerful and principled stand, speaking before the legislature concerning the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which aimed to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude. His speech underscored a profound belief in human dignity: "A human soul, 'that God has created and Christ died for,' is not to be trifled with. It may tenant the body of a Chinaman, a Turk, an Arab, or a Hottentot—it is still an immortal spirit." This progressive stance revealed a dimension of Barnum far removed from his showmanship. His commitment to public service continued when he was elected Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1875. As mayor, he was a driving force behind significant municipal improvements, including enhancing the city's water supply, bringing gas lighting to streets for increased safety and convenience, and diligently enforcing liquor and prostitution laws to improve public order. Furthermore, his philanthropic spirit shone through his instrumental role in the founding of Bridgeport Hospital in 1878, where he served as its first president, establishing a vital institution for community health.

The Birth of a Circus Empire

Remarkably, the enterprise that would become the cornerstone of his enduring fame—the circus business—was truly established when Barnum was already 60 years old. In 1870, he founded "P. T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan & Hippodrome." This ambitious venture was more than just a circus; it was a grand traveling spectacle encompassing a vast menagerie of exotic animals, a museum of "freaks" and curiosities, and a traditional circus performance under one expansive tent. Over the years, this enterprise adopted many names and eventually merged with James Anthony Bailey's show to become the iconic Barnum & Bailey Circus, a name synonymous with "The Greatest Show on Earth" and a testament to Barnum's unparalleled vision for mass entertainment.

Personal Life and Lasting Legacy

Barnum's personal life was marked by two significant marriages. He was first married to Charity Hallett in 1829, and together they raised four children. Their marriage spanned many decades until her death in 1873. A few months later, in 1874, Barnum married Nancy Fish, a woman 40 years his junior who was the daughter of a friend. Their union continued until his passing. Phineas Taylor Barnum died of a stroke at his home on April 7, 1891, leaving behind a legacy that transcended mere entertainment. He was laid to rest in Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a place of peace and beauty that he himself had designed, a final touch of his creative and planning genius. His life was a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of innovation, controversy, civic duty, and an unwavering commitment to captivating the human imagination.

Frequently Asked Questions About P.T. Barnum

Was P.T. Barnum solely a con artist?

While Barnum gained notoriety for promoting hoaxes and masterfully manipulating public perception, labeling him solely a con artist oversimplifies his complex character. He was also a successful businessman, a philanthropic civic leader, and a dedicated politician who advocated for significant social reforms, such as the abolition of slavery. His life was a blend of showmanship, entrepreneurship, and genuine public service.

Did P.T. Barnum actually say, "There's a sucker born every minute"?

Despite popular attribution, there is no verifiable evidence or proof that P.T. Barnum ever uttered the phrase "There's a sucker born every minute." This adage is widely believed to have originated elsewhere, though it has become deeply, if inaccurately, associated with his reputation for shrewd and sometimes ethically ambiguous showmanship.

What was the Barnum & Bailey Circus?

The Barnum & Bailey Circus was one of the most famous and long-running circuses in American history, known globally as "The Greatest Show on Earth." It was co-founded by P.T. Barnum and James Anthony Bailey, bringing together a vast collection of exotic animals, human curiosities, and thrilling acrobatic performances under a grand tent, touring across the nation and eventually the world for over a century.

What were some of P.T. Barnum's most famous hoaxes?

Barnum was a master of sensationalism. Among his most famous hoaxes were the "Fiji mermaid," a supposed mummified creature that was actually the upper body of a monkey sewn to the tail of a fish, and the exhibit of Joice Heth, an elderly enslaved woman whom Barnum presented as George Washington's 161-year-old nurse. He also extensively promoted General Tom Thumb, a little person, though this was more a presentation of a human curiosity than a hoax, albeit with significant embellishment.

How did P.T. Barnum manage his economic reversals?

Barnum faced significant financial challenges in the 1850s due to poor investments. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he embarked on a lecture tour, surprisingly as a temperance speaker, using his considerable rhetorical skills to deliver moralistic talks. This unexpected venture proved highly successful, allowing him to earn enough money to clear his debts and rebuild his fortune, showcasing his adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit even in times of crisis.

What was P.T. Barnum's connection to Jenny Lind?

P.T. Barnum orchestrated the highly successful American tour of Jenny Lind, the renowned Swedish opera singer, in 1850. He paid her an unprecedented $1,000 per night for 150 performances, a sum unheard of at the time. This tour was a massive cultural phenomenon, introducing European opera to a broad American audience and cementing both Lind's stardom and Barnum's reputation as a visionary promoter.