Newspaper: Illustrated London News featuring General Tom Thumb as Frederick the Great

Illustrated London News for December 27, 1845. The illustration features Charles S. Stratton, known as General Tom Thumb, dressed as Frederick the Great. He wears a hat and a handsome military uniform, and leans on a walking stick. This is from Stratton's tour with Barnum in Europe. Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838- July 15, 1883), known as General Tom Thumb, was an entertainer and Bridgeport Conn. native who got his start with P.T. Barnum in 1842. Stratton's parents signed him with Barnum at age 4, as exhibiting those with dwarfism was lucrative at the time. Stratton took quickly to performing, and he entertained audiences worldwide, including nobility such as Queen Victoria. Stratton married fellow performer M. Lavinia Warren and the two had a happy marriage. Stratton's performances brought him renown as a celebrity, perhaps one of the biggest at the time, and he and Warren were able to live comfortably when not working. On July 15, 1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife beside him. Printed by the Illustrated London News, December 27, 1845.