This is just one of the many posters that were made of P. T Barnum. Barnum got alot of publicity. Alot of people made caricature of Barnum.

Barnum was always one who liked to entertain people. Before he got into the circus. Barnum made his money by showing of what people called, " The Freaks". His first one  was a 160 year old lady who he claimed to be George Washington's nurse. He would tell them to step right up and they did. He also had a bearded lady and siamese twins.

Barnum most popular exhibit was "Tom Thumb". He was a midget. Barnum dressed him up in costumes such as Napolean and a New England carpenter, ect... Barnum made alot of money off of him.

Then Barnum heard of another midget. So right away he went to check it out. He came to find out that it was a girl. So Barnum thought he could introduce Tom to her. Her name was Lavinia Warren. The two midgets met and then two years later they got married.

After that they were married for a long time but then Tom died in July 15, 1883. Lavinia married again. She died when she was 75 years old.

After Tom dying Barnum want to do something more. So he created the "greatest show on earth". The Barnum and Bailey Circus. His most popular animal was his elephant, Jumbo, he was the largest elephant ever. All the advertising for Barnum's Circus usually had the elphant or the elephant and him. They say that Barnum got jealous because the elephant got more publicity then he did.

The circus was very well known by people all over the world because it was so good. People looked forward for the circus to come to their town.