When Anna Haining Bates went into labor she lost six gallons of fluid. Standing at over seven feet, it’s no wonder that her baby was also a shocking size—but as the hours wore on, the doctor came to a chilling realization.
Charles Stratton—or General Tom Thumb to his fans around the world—was an American showman legendary for his small stature and command of the stage. Charles isn’t just history’s most famous little person, he’s also one of the earliest American celebrities.
The early days of the circus were some crazy times. As the science and medical worlds were still developing, there were many mysterious conditions that people utilized for profit. But it wasn't just physical conditions that people put on for display.
Despite being small in stature, Lavinia Warren was huge in stardom. From her humble beginnings as a school teacher to her worldwide fame as one-half of a petite power couple, Warren did it all.
