The Story Behind The Show

Though Hugh Jackman put on an endearing performance as P.T. Barnum in the hit movie The Greatest Showman, you should never use Hollywood media as your form of education. Because in real life, there's a lot more to learn about P.T. Barnum, the showman, author, politician, and businessman. He was many things, and though he's most famous for his amazing circus, we're here to reveal 20 shocking facts that lie behind the scenes. 

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1. He Started Sales At Age 12

It looks like P.T. Barnum was always destined for the life of a talented salesman. At the young age of 12, you could already find him on the streets selling various goods like cherry rum and snacks to anyone who was willing to buy. Once he amassed enough money, it's said he even bought himself his very own sheep and calf. 

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2. A Man Of Many Businesses

Before he began his career as a showman, P.T. Barnum was a busy man involved in many businesses. In his early 20s, he was already running a general store, a book-auctioning trade, and even started a newspaper which he called The Herald of Freedom. It was clear he already had a knack for sales, marketing, and enticing crowds before he moved into show business. 

Herald of Freedom (Boston) on Wikimedia

3. His Newspaper Sent Him To Jail

While starting his own newspaper at such a young age was certainly impressive, it also got him into a lot of trouble. Some of his publications had very pointed claims against local church elders, with his accusations eventually costing him a trip to prison; he spent two months there. 

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4. His Career Started With A Scam

But before Barnum became the famous and accomplished showman he went down in history as, he had to climb his way up. At 25, he officially started his journey in show business. He bought and exploited Joice Heth in 1835, claiming that this old lady was 161 years old and a former nurse of George Washington. Of course, it was later discovered that at the end of her days, she was only approximately 80 years old. He profited off a live autopsy too, asking viewers to pay 50 cents to learn the truth. 

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5. He Had A Famous Elephant

You may have heard of Disney's Dumbo before, but have you ever heard of P.T. Barnum's Jumbo the Elephant? Claiming that he was the biggest elephant in the world, Jumbo was taken around by the showman in his traveling circus. The animal was so beloved, he even became the mascot of Tufts University!

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6. He Brought Opera To The Limelight

Dubbed the "Swedish Nightingale" in Europe, Barnum became fascinated with opera singer, Jenny Lind. Though he hadn't heard her sing before, he knew her popularity and talent would be a hit in the United States so he quickly offered her up a contract to tour the country. Almost as if written, her performances were so successful a new term, "Lind Mania," was coined in her honor. Both Barnum and Lind profited immensely from the tour's triumphs.

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7. His Circus Was Done Late In Life

You're likely wondering, where's all the talk about Barnum's circus? Well, though his circus acts will always be what he'll be known for, it's interesting to note that he didn't start it until much later in his life. In fact, he didn't create his circus until he was 60! While his prior work as a showman definitely benefited his success, it's funny thinking he essentially worked on his circus during his retirement phase of life.

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8. He Created Madison Square Garden

By taking the New York and Harlem Railroad Station and transforming it into a massive arena for which he could hold amazing circus events, P.T. Barnum is often credited with creating what we know today as Madison Square Garden. Funnily enough, he originally named it something else entirely: the Great Roman Hippodrome!

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9. His Famous Quote Is False

One of the most famous phrases associated with P.T. Barnum was, "There's a sucker born every minute," suggesting that people are easily manipulated and gullible. However, there's no actual evidence proving these words to have come from him! 

Brady-Handy Photograph Collection (Library of Congress) on Wikimedia

10. He Became A Politician

Most people don't know that P.T. Barnum was actually heavily involved in politics. In 1865, he was elected to represent Fairfield in the Connecticutt General Assembly and 10 years later in 1875, he even became the mayor of Bridgeport! During his time as mayor, one of his biggest contributions was the building of Bridgeport Hospital for which he became the first president. 

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11. He Used Elephants To Test A Bridge

On May 17, 1884, Barnum decided to properly test the strength and durability of the Brooklyn Bridge by walking 21 elephants and 17 camels over it. What better way to prove the naysayers wrong! With Jumbo leading the charge, this simple act managed to squash the growing fears of the public. 

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12. He Hated Alcohol

Though P.T. Barnum started out as a regular alcohol drinker like most other people, his life changed after attending a pro-temperance lecture sometime in the late 1840s. He even became a speaker himself, using it as an opportunity to earn money when he faced financial struggles. 

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13. He Almost Went Bankrupt

Before he created Barnum's The Greatest Show on Earth, Barnum's dreams were almost crushed when he faced bankruptcy in 1855. He made a terrible investment with Jerome Clock Company, losing essentially everything he had when the company went under. Fortunately, he worked hard to rise from the ashes, going on tours, performing as a speaker, and so on until he recovered.

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14. Museum Fires

No human lives were lost in the burning of Barnum's American Museum back in 1865, but the terrible fire did claim numerous animal lives in this tragic event. What's especially strange though, is this wasn't a singular occurrence. Just a few years later in 1868, the building burned down again!

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15. A Long Marriage

P.T. Barnum married Charity Hallett in 1829 and had a total of 4 children together before she sadly passed away 44 years later in 1873. The two certainly had a long marriage together, but a few months after her passing, he was quick to remarry Nancy Fish who was 40 years younger than him. 

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16. He Built America's First Aquarium

We bet you didn't know you had Barnum to thank for aquariums too! If you love visiting sea creatures and are in awe of their beauty, it's thanks to P.T. Barnum that you can easily see them up close and personal. It was opened as part of his American museum in 1857. 

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17. The Fiji Mermaid

We all know Barnum built his career off of hoaxes and fooling crowds, but the Fiji Mermaid might just be his boldest claim yet. Calling it a mermaid found off the coast of Fiji, this strange mummified being had the upper body of a monkey sewn together with the bottom half of a fish. It's believed to have been lost in one of the fires that took down Barnum's American museum. 

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18. Tom Thumb

Better known as General Tom Thumb, Charles Stratton is often considered one of P.T. Barnum's most well-known entertainers. Once he heard about a boy who stopped growing after a certain age, Barnum saw potential in him as a popular attraction that would wow guests. After all, it was during a time when the public was fascinated by weird and unique bodies - something the showman really capitalized on. 

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19. A Successful Writer

It never ceases to amaze us just how many different things P.T. Barnum was. He officially became a writer in 1855 when he published his very own autobiography, The Life of P.T. Barnum. Though the book went through several revisions, it was widely successful, selling 1 million copies! 

Charles D. Fredricks & Co., photographer on Wikimedia

20. Final Words

At 80 years old in 1891, Barnum passed away in his home after experiencing a stroke. It's speculated that his final words included him asking about the circus receipts from the previous night before his passing. Whether it's true or not, it just goes to show you this man's dedication in becoming the greatest showman in history.

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