Thumb, Tom, 1838-1883

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1838
Death 1883

Biographical notes:

Charles Stratton (1838-1883), stage name General Tom Thumb, was an American showman noted for his small stature. He was the first major attraction promoted by the circus impresario P.T. Barnum. He was not quite five years old when Barnum hired him for his museum, but Barnum publicized him as General Tom Thumb, an 11-year-old dwarf from England. He quickly became a celebrated figure in the United States and abroad. In 1863 Stratton married Lavinia Warren (1841–1919)—another of Barnum’s performers, known as the “Little Queen of Beauty”—in an elaborately staged ceremony at Grace Episcopal Church in New York City.

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Permalink:
http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mx394c
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Subjects:

  • People with disabilities and the performing arts

Occupations:

  • Circus performers

Places:

not available for this record

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