Character guide

P. T. Barnum

major

Also known as Barnum, Mr. Barnum, Mr. P. T. Barnum, old Barnum, Mr. T., the Barnum, the great Barnum, Phineas T. Barnum, the said Phineas T. Barnum

The author and narrator, a famous showman and museum owner.

Jenny Lind

major

Also known as Jenny, Miss Lind, Mademoiselle Jenny Lind, the said Jenny Lind, Lind, Poor Jenny, the Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, the Nightingale

The celebrated Swedish soprano brought to America by Barnum.

General Tom Thumb

major

Also known as Tom Thumb, XI General Tom Thumb, the renowned General Tom Thumb, the General, little Thumb, the General Tom Thumb, Charles S. Stratton, Charles, Charley Stratton, Charley, Charles Stratton, Prince Charles Stratton, little Charlie

Barnum's most famous dwarf performer, a world-renowned attraction.

Lavinia Warren

supporting

Also known as Lavinia, Miss Warren, poor Lavinia, Miss Lavinia Warren

A little lady who married General Tom Thumb.

Commodore Nutt

supporting

Also known as The little Commodore, Commodore Nutt, little Nutt, Nutt, Commodore, the Commodore, Mrs. Commodore Nutt

A little person performer who joined Barnum's company.

Grizzly Adams

supporting

Also known as Old Adams, Adams, old Adams, Old Grizzly Adams

A wild animal trainer and mountain man who partnered with Barnum.

Nelson Beers

supporting

Also known as Nelson, Beers, poor Beers, Poor Beers, the unfortunate Nelson

A young man who worked for Barnum and met a tragic end.

Sherwood E. Stratton

supporting

Also known as Mr. Stratton, Stratton, Sherwood, poor Stratton, Mr. Sherwood E. Stratton

Father of General Tom Thumb, who managed his son's career.

Signor Vivalla

supporting

Also known as Vivalla, Little Vivalla

A juggler and performer in Barnum's early traveling company.

Mr. James Gordon Bennett

supporting

Also known as Bennett, James Gordon Bennett, Mr. Bennett, Editor Bennett

Editor of the New York Herald and frequent Barnum adversary.

Charity Barnum

supporting

Also known as Charity, Barnum, Mrs. Barnum

Barnum's first wife and lifelong companion.

Joice Heth

supporting

Also known as Joyce Heth

An enslaved woman exhibited as George Washington's 161-year-old nurse.

Mr. Adams

minor

Also known as Adams, old Adams

A business associate and friend of Barnum.

Albert Smith

minor

Also known as Mr. Albert Smith, Smith, Mr. Smith

An English author and entertainer who toured with Barnum.

Mr. Dey

minor

Also known as the Rev. Mr. Dey, Rev. Richard V. Dey, the eccentric Richard, the Rev. Richard V. Dey, Richard Varick, The Rev. Richard Varick Dey

An eccentric clergyman who had dealings with Barnum.

Wilson

minor

Also known as Mr. Wilson, Mr. James Wilson

A business partner or associate of Barnum.

Miss Lucretia

minor

Also known as Lucretia

A young woman who was an early romantic interest of Barnum.

Mr. John Greenwood

minor

Also known as Mr. Greenwood, Greenwood, the confused Greenwood, Mr. John Greenwood , Jr., poor Greenwood

An Englishman who managed Barnum's London operations.

Mr. Gideon Thompson

minor

Also known as Mr. Thompson, Thompson, friend Thompson

An early mentor and business partner of Barnum.

Mr. Richard

minor

Also known as the meek Mr. Richard, the modest Mr. Richard, the injured Mr. Richard, the unfortunate Mr. Richard, the Rev. Mr. Richard

A clergyman involved in a humorous anecdote with Barnum.

La Rue

minor

A French performer or associate of Barnum.

Mrs. Simpson

minor

Also known as Simpson

A woman who ran a boarding house or had dealings with Barnum.

Mr. John Hall Wilton

minor

Also known as Wilton, Mr. Wilton, John Hall Wilton, the said John Hall Wilton, J. H. Wilton, Mr. J. Hall Wilton

A business associate involved in the American Museum.

Mr. Francis W. Olmsted

minor

Also known as Mr. Olmsted

A friend or associate of Barnum.

Henry Bennett

minor

Also known as Bennett, Mr. Henry Bennett, Henry

A business rival or associate of Barnum.

Mr. Louis Gaylord Clark

minor

Also known as Clark, the astonished Clark

An editor who had a humorous encounter with Barnum.

Mr. James D. Johnson

minor

Also known as Johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. James D., James D. Johnson, J. D. Johnson, neighbor Johnson, J. Johnson

A neighbor and business associate of Barnum.

Mrs. General Tom Thumb

minor

Also known as Tom Thumb, General, Mrs. Tom Thumb, General Tom Thumb, Tom, Mrs. Thomas

Lavinia Warren after her marriage to General Tom Thumb.

Rev. Dr. E. H. Chapin

minor

Also known as My, the Rev. Dr. E. H. Chapin, Dr. Chapin, the Rev. Dr. Chapin, Rev. Dr. Chapin, the Reverend Doctor E. H. Chapin, Doctor Chapin

A prominent clergyman and friend of Barnum.

Joe Pentland

minor

Also known as Pentland, Joseph, Signor Pentland

A performer in Barnum's early traveling company.

Professor Pinte

minor

Also known as Pinte, Presently Professor Pinte, Mr. Pinte

A performer or lecturer associated with Barnum.

Mrs. Stratton

minor

Also known as straightway Mrs. Stratton

Mother of General Tom Thumb.

Mr. William C. Coup

minor

Also known as Mr. Coup, Coup, friend Coup, Manager Coup

A partner in Barnum's circus and menagerie ventures.

Mr. Julius Benedict

minor

Also known as Mr. Benedict, Julius Benedict, the said Julius Benedict, the aforesaid Julius Benedict, Benedict, Messrs. Benedict

Jenny Lind's musical conductor and pianist.

Darrow

minor

Also known as Old Darrow, old Darrow

An early employer or associate of Barnum.

S. H. Hurd

minor

Also known as Mr. Hurd, Mr. S. H. Hurd, Hurd, Mr. Samuel H. Hurd, Sammy, Sam, the chopfallen Hurd

A business associate involved in the Jerome Clock Company.

Mrs. Jerusha Wheeler

minor

Also known as Jerusha, Mrs. Wheeler

A woman who had dealings with Barnum.

Mary

minor

Also known as Miss Mary Wheeler, Miss Wheeler, Miss Mary

A young woman connected to the Wheeler family.

Yellow Bear

minor

A Native American chief exhibited by Barnum.

Colonel John S. Dusolle

minor

Also known as John

A friend or associate of Barnum.

Mr. Dibble

minor

Also known as Dibble

A business associate of Barnum.

Old Bevans

minor

An eccentric character encountered by Barnum.

Croft

minor

Also known as Mr. Crofut

A business associate of Barnum.

Roberts

minor

A performer or associate of Barnum.

Henry Hawley

minor

Also known as Hawley, Governor Hawley, Joseph, Governor Joseph H. Hawley

A friend and political associate of Barnum.

Old Bennett

minor

Also known as Bennett

A performer or associate from Barnum's early career.

Mr. George A. Wells

minor

Also known as Mr. Wells, George A. Wells

A business associate of Barnum.

Mr. Greeley

minor

Also known as Horace Greeley, the late Horace Greeley

Famous editor of the New York Tribune.

Aunt Rushia

minor

Also known as Rushia, old Rushia, young Rushia, Miss Rushia

A relative or family friend of Barnum.

Mr. Barney Williams

minor

Also known as Mr. Williams

An Irish-American performer associated with Barnum.

Peale

minor

Also known as Mr. Peale

Owner of a museum that competed with Barnum's.

Helen

minor

Also known as Helen M.

A young woman who was a friend or relative of Barnum.

Old Bob

minor

Also known as Old " Bob, old Bob, Poor old " Bob, poor old Bob

A horse or pet mentioned by Barnum.

Newton

minor

A performer or associate of Barnum.

Stewart

minor

Also known as Mr. A. T. Stewart, Mr. Stewart, A. T. Stewart, Stuart

A wealthy merchant and friend of Barnum.

Old Turner

minor

Also known as Turner, Aaron Turner

A showman who gave Barnum his start.

Alfred Bunn

minor

Also known as Mr. Alfred Bunn, Mr. Bunn, Bunn

An English theater manager who dealt with Barnum.

Tom Higginson

minor

Also known as Tom, Higginson

A friend or associate of Barnum.

Mr. C. D. Jenkins

minor

Also known as Jenkins

A business associate of Barnum.

Mr. Simpson

minor

Also known as Simpson, Edmund, Edmund Simpson

A theater manager associated with Barnum.

Mr. Genin

minor

Also known as Genin

A hatter who benefited from Jenny Lind's tour.

Le Grand Smith

minor

Also known as Mr. Le Grand Smith

A business associate of Barnum.

Mr. Otto Goldschmidt

minor

Also known as Goldschmidt, Otto Goldschmidt

Jenny Lind's husband and a musician.

Elias Howe Jr.

minor

Inventor of the sewing machine, associated with Barnum.

Mr. Hudson

minor

A business associate of Barnum.

Monsieur Guillaudeu

minor

A French naturalist who worked at Barnum's museum.

Robert Houdin

minor

Also known as Houdin

A famous French magician brought to America by Barnum.

Doctor Baird

minor

Also known as Dr. Baird, Robert Baird

A clergyman and author who assisted Barnum.

Mr. Howe

minor

Also known as Howe

A business associate of Barnum.

Mr. Lindsay

minor

Also known as Mr. and Mrs. Lynn, Mr. Lincoln, R. W. Lindsay, Lindsay

A business associate of Barnum.

Anderson

minor

A performer or associate of Barnum.

Mr. Charles Howell

minor

Also known as Mr. Howell, Howell, Charles Howell

A business associate of Barnum.

Wood

minor

Also known as Mr. George Wood, Mr. Wood

A performer or associate of Barnum.

Jack Mallett

minor

Also known as Jack, Mallett, John Mallett

A performer in Barnum's company.

Mr. John Jay

minor

Also known as Jay, Mr. Jay

A friend or associate of Barnum.

Chas. T. Cromwell

minor

Also known as Cromwell, Charley

A business associate of Barnum.

Uncle Phile

minor

A relative of Barnum.

Phineas Taylor

minor

Also known as Phineas, Taylor

Barnum's maternal grandfather.

Dr. Valentine

minor

A doctor who treated Barnum or his family.

Mr. Robert Bonner

minor

Also known as Mr. Bonner

Editor of the New York Ledger and friend of Barnum.

Mr. Ballard

minor

Also known as Senator Ballard

A business associate of Barnum.

Mr. Coley Bartram

minor

Also known as Mr. Bartram

A friend or associate of Barnum.

Signor Belletti

minor

Also known as Belletti, Giovanni Belletti

A singer who toured with Jenny Lind.

Minnie Warren

minor

Also known as little Minnie, Minnie, Miss Minnie Warren

Lavinia Warren's little sister.

Mr. William H. Noble

minor

Also known as Mr. Noble, William

A business associate of Barnum.