General Tom Thumb

Charles Sherwood Stratton (* January 4, 1838 in Bridgeport ( Connecticut ); † July 15, 1883 ) was an American circus performer and actor, who used to operate under the name " General Tom Thumb ".

Life

Charles Stratton was born as a big, strong kid and developed normally during the first months of his life, but ended his growth that took place in several stages with long pauses when he had reached a size of 102 centimeters. Strattons three siblings, however, developed normally. 1842 PT Barnum discovered him in Bridgeport (Connecticut) for the circus and gave him the name " General Tom Thumb " by which he was known. Barnum brought the only four year old boy with singing, dancing and imitating famous people and let him appear in his American Museum. 1844 Stratton toured Europe for the first time. He initially joined on in Liverpool, then in London, where he was also presented the royal family. The writer Albert Smith wrote a piece specifically for Stratton: Hop o 'my Thumb.

After Stratton England, Scotland and Ireland had traveled, he entered Paris, where he was also admired and rewarded by the imperial family, and then completed a tour of France before he returned to the United States. It was followed by appearances in numerous cities across North America as well as in Havana.

Died in 1855 Strattons father, and he traveled from that point on - but still caring for Barnum - on your own. He appeared in numerous plays. His personal residence had Stratton, who was a Freemason, still in his hometown. After it has been brought by his many appearances to wealth, he kept horses and bought a yacht.

On February 10, 1863 Charles Stratton married Lavinia Warren also of small stature. This wedding, which was celebrated with about 2000 guests and also the President Lincoln and his wife sent gifts, caused a sensation.

Stratton died in 1883 of a stroke - a few months after he had been rescued from the fire disaster in the Newhall House in Milwaukee. Why had he reached no normal size, remained unexplored. Stratton's grave is located in the Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, his hometown. On the memorial stone statue is in Strattons life size.

Charles Stratton with his father, about 1844

Charles Stratton and P. T. Barnum in 1850

Charles Stratton and his family