P T Barnum
P.T. Barnum Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891) is most often associated with the circus sideshow and the display of freaks. While this is true, he is also the founding father behind one of Americas most famous circuses: Barnum & Bailey Circus. ... An accomplished showman and entrepreneur, Barnum was famous for bringing both high and low culture to all of America. ... Barnum produced enough entertainment to earn the title "master showman" quite a few times over. ... Barnum paid $1,000 for the services of Joice Heth, a woman who claimed to be 161 years old and the nurse of George Washington.