The population of the United States in 1840 was about 17 million, a small number to Phineas Taylor Barnum, the greatest impresario who ever lived. Between 1840 and 1880, he sold nearly 60 million tickets to his exhibits, museums and traveling circus. Even with television, satellites and every conceivable electronic device known to humanity, no one then or since has come close to what Barnum accomplished. Barnum was equally at ease with European royalty or Grizzly Adams. He brought Jumbo the elephant and Jenny Lind to America and introduced us to the clever Lilliputian, Gen. Tom Thumb. The Barnum & Bailey Circus he co-founded is the perfect metaphor for the impresario’s life and matchless success.
Award-winning author and syndicated columnist Daniel Alef, who has written more than 300 biographical profiles of America’s greatest tycoons, brings out the story of P. T. Barnum and his remarkable life of ups, downs and achievements. [2,003-word Titans of Fortune article]
advertisement