P.T. Barnum Part Three- Failed Rebrand of The Mermaid Man

Week Three of the P.T. Barnum saga. This week we talk about Barnum's attempts to rehabilitate his relationship with his family and his reputation with the world. Though it seems like he did some real work on his marriage it seems like his reputation as a dishonest humbug man would be set in stone. We talk about the real relationship between him and Jenny Lind "The Swedish Nightingale" and Barnum's failed attempt to rebrand himself as a purveyor of high brow entertainment. Then we get into Barnum as an investor with a spotty track record and a shady real-estate deal that would eventually lead to his complete bankruptcy. Eventually Barnum drags himself back out of debt and tries his hand at Politics becoming a representative to the Connecticut State Legislature. Serving for two terms, promoting his abolitionist and temperance beliefs. Then his life is riddled with fires from the destruction of Iranistan to the American Museum Burning down twice within a couple years. Barnum would never own a major museum again but this may have given him the push to create his famous circus which we will talk about next week.Enjoy!Sources:“Barnum: An American Life” by Robert Wilson(2020)“Topsy: The Startling Story of the Crooked Tailed Elephant, PT Barnum, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison” By Michael Daly(2013)Send us a text! Let us know what topics you want us to cover!