P.T. Barnum Tells His Secrets

Similar to the antics that keep celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears in the headlines today, Phineas T. Barnum carried on a life that represented all that was luxurious yet dicey in the American way of life. His incredibly unbelievable, yet far too interesting and entertaining not to witness schemes, led him to a life that kept him incessantly in the public eye.

P.T. Barnum was born in Bethel, Connecticut in July of 1810. After working as a store-keeper and being involved with the lottery craze that was taking place in the United States at the time, Barnum decided to take a different road and work as a writer. In 1829 he began his own weekly paper, “The Herald of Freedom,” in Danbury, Connecticut. However his work displeased many and after numerous libel suits and a prosecution that led to incarceration, P.T. went in another direction with his life after moving to New York City in 1834.

Once in New York, Barnum decided to take his chances in show business. His first great hoax took place in 1835 when he purchased and exhibited the blind and almost entirely paralyzed African-American slave woman, Joice Heth. Barnum declared that the woman was once the nurse of George Washington and was now over 160 years old. Traveling across America with this lady and a small company, this ruse brought much success to Barnum. Even after her death in 1836, Joice Heth continued to bring Barnum wealth. Once Heth passed away, Barnum performed a public autopsy for nearly 1,500 people; charging 50 cents a head. At this time, Heth was proven to be no more than 80 years old.

After a number of more unbelievable scams, Barnum purchased “Scudder’s American Museum,” at Broadway and Ann Street, New York City, in 1841 and renamed it "Barnum's American Museum." The museum quickly became one of the most popular showplaces in the United States, with attractions such as the renowned midget "General Tom Thumb", as well as the Fiji Mermaid. His collection also included Chang and Eng Bunker, the original Siamese twins.

Following retiring then beginning his work again, suffering through his museum burning to the ground, rebuilding the museum in a new location only to have it as well burn to the ground, Barnum established a traveling museum and merged with James Bailey and formed the “Barnum & Bailey Circus” in 1882 which toured around the world.

Barnum died in April of 1891 but left a legacy behind that he is still known for today. With his many ploys, books, and political involvement, Phineas T. Barnum made certain that he would be properly remembered once gone – exactly as he had created himself.

Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum Part I

Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum Part II

Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum Part III

Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum Part IV

Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum Part V

Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum Part VI

Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum Part VII

Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum Part VIII