# The Humbugs of the World — Character guide

> Key figures in The Humbugs of the World by P. T. Barnum.

- [Old Grizzly Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/old_grizzly_adams.md): A battered bear-taming showman who rides grizzlies down Broadway while his skull, caved in by his own students, quietly forecasts the end.
- [Monsieur Mangin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/monsieur_mangin.md): A French conjurer whose confessed trickery becomes Barnum's Exhibit A that humbug, practiced boldly enough, can pass for genius.
- [Apollonius Tyanaeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/apollonius_tyanaeus.md): A first-century sage who advised emperors, dodged a death sentence by vanishing, and left Barnum wondering where miracle ends and humbug begins.
- [Joanna Southcott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/joanna_southcott.md): A prophetess who convinced thousands she carried a divine child, proving that humbug thrives most luxuriantly in the soil of sincere faith.
- [Tom Simmons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/tom_simmons.md): An alderman of such credulous appetite that a petrified man, a painted giant, or any well-told lie could empty his pockets and fill the town's gossip.
- [Count of St. Germain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/count_of_st_germain.md): A polished adventurer who claimed centuries of life, charmed European courts, and never explained where the diamonds or the years came from.
- [Monsignore Cristoforo Rischio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/cristoforo_rischio.md): Cristoforo Rischio, called Créso by the crowd, holds a three-hour clinic twice weekly in the open daylight, a skeleton swaying beside him and skulls grinning below. He is no diplomaed physician, yet may have mastered eno
- [Count Alessandro di Cagliostro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/count_alessandro_di_cagliostro.md): Cagliostro stands among the grandest specimens of humbug Barnum catalogs — a man whose alchemical posturings and magnetic cures won him aristocratic patrons and, eventually, the attention of authorities. His career demon
- [Mr. Barnum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_barnum.md): Barnum narrates this survey of deception from the inside, admitting his own trade while insisting humbug is nearly universal — in religion, politics, business, medicine, and science alike. His voice moves between amused 
- [Matthias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/matthias.md): Matthias presided over a luxurious establishment funded by the credulous Mr. Folger, claiming all Christian marriages void and wicked while indulging in petty tyranny. Insolent yet cowardly, he crumpled whenever a strong
- [John Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/john_law.md): Law combined genuine economic insight with the gambler's instinct for grandeur, persuading a desperate French crown to stake its finances on imaginary riches in Louisiana. His system drew dukes and chambermaids alike int
- [Dr. Benjamin Brandreth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/dr_benjamin_brandreth.md): Brandreth built a fortune on the universal faith that a pill could cure whatever ailed you, blanketing the press with testimonials and warnings against counterfeits. His success rested less on pharmacy than on publicity 
- [Messrs. Boehmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/messrs_boehmer.md): Messrs. Boehmer and Bassange are the craftsmen-creditors at the center of the Diamond Necklace affair, holding an ornament so extravagant no buyer will touch it. Their anxiety is commercial and reputational: they need a 
- [Paine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/paine.md): A man who attempted to humbug Barnum with a fake mermaid.
- [Robert Matthews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/robert_matthews.md): Robert Matthews is one of Barnum's prime specimens of religious humbug: a man who claims divine authority and builds a small kingdom of believers around his person. His power rests on charisma, scriptural improvisation, 
- [Pierson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/pierson.md): A follower of Matthias who was murdered by the prophet.
- [Louis de Rohan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/louis_de_rohan.md): Cardinal de Rohan moves through the highest circles of pre-revolutionary France, wealthy, well-connected, and acutely sensitive to his standing at court. His desire to regain the queen's goodwill is so strong that he acc
- [George W. Gage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/george_w_gage.md): A showman who exhibited a fake mermaid with Barnum.
- [Jeanne de St. Remi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/jeanne_de_st_remi.md): Jeanne de St. Remi operates in the shadowy space between aristocratic pretension and genuine poverty, using her wit and connections to maneuver among cardinals, jewelers, and courtiers. Her driving need is status and mon
- [Riza Bey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/riza_bey.md): A Turkish adventurer who claimed to be a prince and swindled people.
- [Colorado Jewett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/colorado_jewett.md): A showman who exhibited a fake mermaid with Barnum.
- [Cornelius Agrippa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/cornelius_agrippa.md): A Renaissance magician and occult writer, cited as a historical humbug.
- [The Davenports](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/the_davenports.md): Spiritualist mediums who performed fake spirit manifestations.
- [Mr. Locke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_locke.md): A man who attempted to humbug Barnum with a fake letter.
- [Henry B. Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/henry_b_allen.md): A young man who helped Barnum with a humbug about a petrified man.
- [Princess Cariboo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/princess_cariboo.md): A woman who posed as a foreign princess and was exhibited by Barnum.
- [Mr. Addison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_addison.md): A merciless showman who exhibited a fake mermaid.
- [Pease](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/pease.md): A showman who exhibited a fake mermaid with Barnum.
- [Sir John Herschel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/sir_john_herschel.md): An astronomer whose name was used in the Great Moon Hoax.
- [Marie Antoinette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/marie_antoinette.md): Queen of France, involved in the Diamond Necklace affair.
- [Hans Von Vleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/hans_von_vleet.md): A Dutch showman who exhibited a fake mermaid.
- [Sir John Blunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/sir_john_blunt.md): A director of the South Sea Company, involved in the bubble.
- [Doctor Roback](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/doctor_roback.md): A quack doctor who sold fake medicines.
- [Mr. Wells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_wells.md): A showman who exhibited a fake mermaid with Barnum.
- [Folger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/folger.md): A man who was swindled by a humbug about a petrified man.
- [Dr. Newton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/dr_newton.md): A quack doctor who claimed to cure diseases with electricity.
- [Virgil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/virgil.md): A medieval magician, cited as a historical humbug.
- [Madame Campan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/madame_campan.md): A lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, involved in the Diamond Necklace affair.
- [Cuvier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/cuvier.md): A naturalist who debunked the fake mermaid.
- [Mr. Croesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_croesus.md): A wealthy man who was swindled by a humbug.
- [Mr. Theodore Tilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_theodore_tilton.md): A man who was involved in a humbug about a spiritualist.
- [Mrs. Conant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mrs_conant.md): A spiritualist medium who performed fake manifestations.
- [J. V. Mansfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/j_v_mansfield.md): A showman who exhibited a fake mermaid.
- [Andrew Jackson Davis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/andrew_jackson_davis.md): A spiritualist who claimed to have visions and heal people.
- [Old Colonel P.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/old_colonel_p.md): A man who was swindled by a humbug about a petrified man.
- [Faust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/faust.md): A legendary magician, cited as a historical humbug.
- [Master Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/master_joe.md): A young man who helped Barnum with a humbug.
- [Mr. Mills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/a_mr_mills.md): A showman who exhibited a fake mermaid.
- [Abraham Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/abraham_thornton.md): A man tried for murder, who used a legal humbug to escape.
- [The Cabiri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/the_cabiri.md): Ancient mystery cult deities, cited as a historical humbug.
- [Charles Talbot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/charles_talbot.md): A young man who was swindled by a humbug.
- [Ira Davenport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/ira_davenport.md): One of the Davenport brothers, spiritualist mediums.
- [Mr. Greeley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_greeley.md): A newspaper editor who was humbugged by Barnum.
- [The Peter Funks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/the_peter_funks.md): A group of showmen who exhibited fake animals.
- [Gay d'Oliva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/gay_d_oliva.md): A woman who impersonated Marie Antoinette in the Diamond Necklace affair.
- [Pyrrhus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/pyrrhus.md): An ancient king who fought the Romans, cited as a historical humbug.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters