Who Was P. T. Barnum?

Who Was P. T. Barnum?

Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages, step right up for Who HQ's entertaining biography of P. T. Barnum: politician, businessman, and The Greatest Showman on Earth!After moving from Connecticut to New York City in 1834, twenty-four-year-old Phineas Taylor Barnum launched his now-legendary career as a showman. Even though spectators debated whether his exhibitions were authentic wonders, hoaxes, or a little bit of both, they were always astounded by what they saw. And readers are sure to be amazed by the story of how Barnum went from owning a museum filled with rare and unusual items to transforming the American circus into a popular and thrilling phenomenon.About the AuthorKirsten Anderson is a writer and actress who lives in New York City with her charming Pomeranian, Sunflower. She has written several biographies for children, includingWho Was Andy Warhol? andWho Was Robert Ripley?Excerpt. ?Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Who Was P. T. Barnum? ? At last, the big day was here. Phineas Taylor Barnum was about to see the property that made him the wealthiest boy in Bethel, Connecticut. ?His grandfather Phineas Taylor often reminded him how lucky he was to be named after him. After all, that was why he had been given Ivy Island, one of the best pieces of land in the state. When Taylor, as everyone called him, was old enough, he would be able to turn it into rich farmland or sell it at a fantastic price. Taylor nodded. He certainly understood how lucky he was.??Everyone knew about Taylor?s island. His mother told him to be grateful for it. His father hoped Taylor would help support the family when the island was finally his. He promised he would. Neighbors hoped Taylor would not forget them when he became rich and powerful. He promised he would not. ?Taylor dreamed about Ivy Island and the wonders it would bring him, but he had never actually seen it. Then, in 1822, when he was twelve years old, he asked his father for permission to visit Ivy Island. His father agreed that it was time. ?Taylor was so excited, he could barely sleep. On the morning of the visit, his mother told him to try to stay calm when he got there and to not make himself sick with excitement. She hoped that when he came back, he would not feel too important to speak to his brother and sisters. Taylor said he would try to be kind to them. ?It was difficult to get to Ivy Island. Taylor?s father had one of his farmworkers show Taylor the way. The path was swampy. Taylor had to leap over deep puddles and bogs. He trudged through water and mud. He was attacked by hornets.??Finally they made their way across a stream. The worker who had guided Taylor pointed and said, ?There?s your Ivy Island!? ?Taylor stared. It was a patch of bare land. It had only a few trees and thin plants. It was not a wonderful piece of land that would make him rich. It was probably worth nothing. ?Then Taylor realized the truth. He had been the victim of one of his fun-loving grandfather?s jokes. And it wasn?t just him-Taylor?s parents, neighbors, and the whole town had been in on it! When he got home, they all laughed at him. ?Taylor eventually was able to laugh about it, too. And he learned a lesson that stayed with him for the rest of his life: The more effort you put into a practical joke, the funnier it could be. And the Ivy Island story had entertained a lot of people for a very long time. ?Phineas Taylor Barnum grew up to become a great showman who entertained people around the world. He learned at a young age how the best, most convincing stories could hold people?s interest. In time, he became the owner of ?the Greatest Show on Earth.? ??hapter 1:?onnecticut ??Phineas Taylor Barnum was born on July 5, 1810, in Bethel, Connecticut. Everyone called him Taylor. His parents were Philo Barnum and Irena Taylor Barnum. Philo was a tailor. He also owned a tavern, part of a general store