Stratton, Charles

Stratton, (Charles Sherwood) “General Tom Thumb” (1838–83) celebrity; born in Bridgeport, Conn. His parents were of normal height, but he grew to only 40 inches and weighed only 70 pounds. He joined P. T. Barnum's museum at the age of four; at age six, Barnum took him to Europe where he entertained royalty and caused a sensation. He toured the U.S.A. (1847–52) and then went into semiretirement. He married Lavinia Warren, another dwarf, in 1863; they had one daughter who died young. On his death it was found that he had squandered the fortune he had made.