# General Tom Thumb — Struggles and Triumphs character guide > General Tom Thumb in Struggles and Triumphs by P. T. Barnum. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Tom Thumb, XI General Tom Thumb, the renowned General Tom Thumb, the General, little Thumb, the General Tom Thumb, Charles S. Stratton, Charles, Charley Stratton, Charley, Charles Stratton, Prince Charles Stratton, little Charlie **First appearance:** 0013-xi-general-tom-thumb-in-england ## Snapshot A tiny performer with a giant's stage presence, he charmed kings and crowds from London to Paris and became the living emblem of Barnum's global ambitions. ## Who they are Charles Stratton, billed as General Tom Thumb, moves through royal courts and boulevards with a composure that makes his small stature seem almost incidental. His carriage, his costumes, and his performances are carefully staged, yet his appeal rests on something genuine that audiences recognize instantly. His courtship of Lavinia Warren later reveals a man with money, ambition, and a heart, complicating the spectacle he has always been asked to embody. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. General Tom Thumb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters/mrs_general_tom_thumb) _family_ General Tom Thumb and Mrs. General Tom Thumb are married, forming a famous little person couple managed by Barnum. ### [Lavinia Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters/lavinia_warren) _romantic_ General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren are romantic partners who eventually marry, forming a famous couple. ### [Mrs. General Tom Thumb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters/mrs_general_tom_thumb) _family_ General Tom Thumb and Mrs. General Tom Thumb are married, forming a famous little person couple managed by Barnum. ### [Mrs. General Tom Thumb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters/mrs_general_tom_thumb) _family_ General Tom Thumb and Mrs. General Tom Thumb are married, forming a famous little person couple managed by Barnum. ### [Lavinia Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters/lavinia_warren) _romantic_ General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren are romantic partners who eventually marry, forming a famous couple. ### [Lavinia Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters/lavinia_warren) _romantic_ General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren are romantic partners who eventually marry, forming a famous couple. ## In the story ### [My First Travelling Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/vi-my-first-travelling-company) Not directly mentioned in this chapter; included as a placeholder per canonical list. ### [X: Another Successful Speculation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/x-another-successful-speculation) Charles S. Stratton, the remarkably small child discovered by Barnum in Bridgeport, later exhibited as General Tom Thumb. ### [XI: General Tom Thumb in England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xi-general-tom-thumb-in-england) The diminutive performer who captivates the British public and royalty with his songs, dances, and witty remarks. ### [In France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xii-in-france) The General performs in French, appears at the Vaudeville Theater, and visits the royal family multiple times, including a special Napoleon Bonaparte costume for King Louis Philippe. ### [XIII: In Belgium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xiii-in-belgium) The little General; presented to King Leopold and Queen, his jewels are stolen and recovered, and he is the star of the exhibitions. ### [XIV: In England Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xiv-in-england-again) Performs at Egyptian Hall, in a balloon, and in the play 'Hop o' my Thumb'; travels on provincial tour. ### [XVI: At Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xvi-at-home) Returns from Europe with enhanced reputation; exhibits at the American Museum and in Bridgeport, donating proceeds to charity. ### [Other Enterprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxiii-other-enterprises) Traveled nearly four years as an attraction of 'Barnum's Great Asiatic Caravan, Museum and Menagerie.' ### [Clouds and Sunshine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxvi-clouds-and-sunshine) Listed among those who offered benefits or support to Barnum during his time of trouble. ### [Rest, but Not Rust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxvii-rest-but-not-rust) Accompanied Barnum to England in 1857 to help earn money. ### [XXVIII: Abroad Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxviii-abroad-again) Returns to England and draws crowded houses, contributing to Barnum's debt repayment efforts. ### [XXIX: In Germany](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxix-in-germany) Exhibited in German spas; his arrival causes intense excitement; he delights in Barnum's customs troubles. ### [XXX: In Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxx-in-holland) Exhibited in Rotterdam and Amsterdam with limited success; left in care of agents while Barnum returns to America. ### [The Art of Money Getting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxxi-the-art-of-money-getting) Mentioned in the context of Punch's earlier publicity and Barnum's prior tours. ### [An Enterprising Englishman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxxii-an-enterprising-englishman) Exhibited in Bury, where Wilson closed his mill so employees could attend; later dined at Wilson's house with his wife, Commodore Nutt, and Minnie Warren. ### [Richard's Himself Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxxiii-richard-s-himself-again) Exhibitions with Tom Thumb in Europe help Barnum raise money to pay debts. ### [More About the Museum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxxvi-more-about-the-museum) Mentioned as traveling in the South and West; his resemblance to Commodore Nutt causes public confusion. ### [Public Lecturing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xlii-public-lecturing) Not directly mentioned in this chapter; excluded from active check-in. ### [XLIII: The New Museum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xliii-the-new-museum) Traveled with Mr. George A. Wells in Great Britain during the acquisition of the Gordon Cummings collection. ### [XLIV: Curious Coincidences.—Number Thirteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xliv-curious-coincidences-number-thirteen) Mentioned as being with Barnum in England when he dined with the Brettells on Christmas. ### [Waldemere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xlvii-waldemere) Referenced in the same humorous context regarding property ownership in Bridgeport. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters/general_tom_thumb - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters