P.T Barnums Circus

He was a museum owner for most of his career, however his name carries strong associations with the circus. He worked with many co - owners to the makers and produced some of the most popular circus' of the late 19th century. A few of his partners included Seth B Howes, Hyatt Frost, W.C Coup and Dan Castello, Lewis June and George F Bailey. His museum burned down in 1868 and because of this he retired for a few years but by 1871 he entered the world of entertainment. He worked with William Cameron Coup and Dan Costello, he began P.T Barnum's Museum which was an exhibition of animal and human oddities. This soon became a big part of the American circus which was known as the Sideshow. By 1872 he began using the rail road to transport the show, the circus had become by far most the most popular form of entertainment in America. Eventually he merged with Bailey's Great London Show which would also merge with the Ringling Brothers later on. This formed the most enduring circus of the 20th century.