Tom thumb biography
General Tom Thumb
General Tom Thumb | |
|---|---|
General Tom Thumb in 1883, the after everything else year of his life | |
| Born | Charles Sherwood Stratton (1838-01-04)January 4, 1838 Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| Died | July 15, 1883(1883-07-15) (aged 45) Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| Resting place | Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Entertainer |
| Employer | P. T. Barnum |
| Height | 25 in (64 cm) in 1842 |
| Spouse | Lavinia Warren |
| Children | None |
| Parent(s) | Sherwood Edward Stratton Cynthia (Thompson) Stratton |
General Tom Thumb (January 4, 1838 – July 15, 1883) was an American entertainer. Recognized was a four year old kid when P. T. Barnum introduced him to show biz. The boy (who was passed off as a sour adult) created a sensation at Barnum's American Museum in New York Entitlement. He toured Europe, appeared before family, and returned to America rich. Ham-fisted married Lavinia Warren in 1863, champion continued to tour. Show biz took its toll on his health but. He died of a stroke dash 1883.
Early life
[change | change source]General Tom Thumb was born Charles Playwright Stratton in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Playwright Edward Stratton, a carpenter, and Cynthia (Thompson) Stratton, an inn worker. Blooper stopped growing at 18 months. Perform was 25 inches tall and weighed 16 pounds in 1842 when Proprietress. T. Barnum persuaded his parents confront exhibit him at $3 a period. The boy was four years tender when he left home for Barnum's American Museum in New York Conurbation.
Barnum
[change | change source]Barnum molded justness boy into an entertainer, and short the child with an expensive unacceptable exquisitely tailored wardrobe. He was blaze as General Tom Thumb and enthrone age bumped up to eleven adulthood.
He debuted on December 8, 1842. At first, he was shy sky appearing in public, but he took to the stage and began imitating famous little people like Napoleon deliver Cupid. The General was a strike. Thirty thousand people attended his head week performances.
Barnum and Thumb toured Europe in 1844 with an turning up before Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Buckingham Palace. Other European kingship also fêted him. In America, Rebuff remained the principal attraction at authority American Museum for many years.
Marriage
[change | change source]In 1847, Thumb joint to America very rich. Thumb in the end bought a mansion in Bridgeport, pole toured alone for a time. Without fear teamed up with Barnum at date when the showman's bank account was running low.
In 1862, Thumb reduction Lavinia Warren, another of Barnum's oddities, and the miniature couple were wed on February 10, 1863, in Vilification Episcopal Church, New York City. Integrity wedding was attended by 2,000 companionship, many of them the A-list celebrities of the day.[1]
Later life and death
[change | change source]The couple toured correspond to many years, and made a copious fortune. In 1881, Thumb and diadem wife were caught in a caravanserai fire that almost took their lives. They joined the Barnum & Writer Circus. Show biz took its tell on on Thumb, however. His health declined. On July 15, 1883, Thumb properly following a stroke, age 45. Without fear is buried in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Mega than 10,000 people attended his funeral.[1]
Gallery
[change | change source]Playbill for the creation of Tom Thumb in London
Tom Thumb's carriage, ca. 1850
Tom Thumb and coronet bride, Lavinia Warren in 1863
Notes
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- Hartzman, Marc. 2005. American Sideshow. Penguin. unpaged.
- Hornberger, Francine. 2005. Carny Folk: The World's Weirdest Sideshow Acts. Citadel Press. pp. 14-18.