General Tom Thumb
USABiography of General Tom Thumb
Early LifeGeneral Tom Thumb, born Charles Sherwood Stratton, was an American circus artist and former dwarf. He was born in 1838 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to average-sized parents, although there were rumors of dwarves in his extended family. Interestingly, Charles was born a large baby, weighing 4.3 kg, and developed like a normal child for the first six months of his life. However, his growth soon stopped, and by the age of four, he remained the same size as he was at six months. Medical examinations revealed that he had very little chance of growing to normal proportions.
The Circus Career
Charles Stratton's family was distantly related to the famous showman and circus director P.T. Barnum. Recognizing Charles' talent, Barnum offered to train him for the stage. At just five years old, Charles embarked on his first tour across America, impressing audiences with his singing, dancing, and mimicking skills. During this time, he played the role of Cupid, and it was during this tour that he was first dressed as Napoleon, a role that earned him the nickname "General Tom Thumb."
Rise to Fame
General Tom Thumb quickly gained widespread fame and became a household name. He toured the country and even performed for Queen Victoria of England and the young Prince of Wales. At the peak of his popularity, he attracted large crowds of fans wherever he went.
Personal Life and Later Years
In 1847, Stratton began to experience slow growth for the first time since infancy, gradually reaching a height of 89 cm by the age of 18. In 1863, he married another dwarf named Lavinia Warren, and their wedding became a major public event. Under Barnum's guidance, Stratton became very wealthy, owning a beautiful home in New York, a yacht, and many other valuable possessions. He even rescued Barnum during a financially difficult time and became his business partner.
Tragic End
In January 1883, Stratton and his wife narrowly escaped a horrific fire at the Newhall House in Milwaukee, which claimed the lives of over 70 people. However, just a few months later, Stratton unexpectedly suffered a stroke and passed away at the age of 45. His funeral was attended by more than 20,000 people, and Barnum commissioned a life-size monument to be placed on his grave at the Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
