# Mr. Barnum — The Humbugs of the World character guide > Mr. Barnum in The Humbugs of the World by P. T. Barnum. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Barnum **First appearance:** 0005-i ## Snapshot The showman who made humbug a profession and now turns anatomist of it, cataloging the world's cheats with the authority of a master practitioner. ## Who they are 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 confession and moral taxonomy, treating the humbug as both social menace and American art form. His authority is the book's central tension: can the greatest showman be trusted to expose the show? ## Relationships ### [Old Grizzly Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/old_grizzly_adams) _professional_ Mr. Barnum employs or exhibits Old Grizzly Adams as a showman and performer in his museum. ### [Old Grizzly Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/old_grizzly_adams) _professional_ Mr. Barnum employs or exhibits Old Grizzly Adams as a showman and performer in his museum. ## In the story ### [Publisher's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/publisher-s-note) Defended as a man of integrity, effective speaker, and public benefactor despite the 'humbug' label. ### [The Humbugs of the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/the-humbugs-of-the-world) Author and narrator of the work, presenting a survey of humbugs. ### [Part I: Personal Reminiscences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/part-i-personal-reminiscences) The author and narrator, reflecting on his own experiences with humbug and showmanship. ### [Definition of Humbug](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/ii) Author and narrator; defines humbug and recounts his own attempt to send the first Atlantic Telegraph message. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/iii) The narrator and interlocutor who meets Mangin in Paris and compares notes on attracting the public. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/iv) Barnum narrates the story, making a bet with Adams and ultimately being outwitted by Adams' final request. ### [The Golden Pigeons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/v) Narrator and orchestrator of the golden pigeon humbug; buys the painted pigeons to expose Grizzly Adams's exaggerations. ### [The Whale, the Angel Fish, and the Golden Pigeon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/vi) Narrator and proprietor of the American Museum, who deals with incredulous visitors and admits to the painted pigeon trick. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/viii) The narrator, who becomes a devoted customer of Brandreth's Pills and later meets the doctor. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xi) Narrator and expositor of the medium's fraudulent methods. ### [Spiritual Photographing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xiv) Author and narrator, who exposes the fraud of spirit photography and offers a $500 challenge to mediums. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xvii) The author and narrator, who provides critical commentary on the spiritualist deceptions and the gullibility of the public. ### [Lottery Sharks and Swindles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxi) Author and expositor of the lottery swindles, analyzing the letters and circulars. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxii) Narrator and compiler of the swindles described, offering commentary and warnings. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxiii) Narrator and commentator on the humbugs described in the chapter. ### [XXV The Tulipomania](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxv) The narrator and author, who tells the story of the Tulipomania and its lessons. ### [John Bull's Great Money Humbug: The South Sea Bubble in 1720](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxvi) Not directly mentioned, but the chapter's theme of humbug aligns with Barnum's exposés. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxviii) Narrator and commentator on medical humbugs. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxix) The author and narrator who investigates and condemns the various impostors. ### [Monsignore Cristoforo Rischio: The Humbug of Florence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxx) Referenced indirectly as a model for comparison; the author notes Rischio as a model for quack doctors, linking to Barnum's own humbuggery. ### [The Twenty-Seventh Street Ghost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxxi) Narrator and accused progenitor of the ghost hoax; denies involvement and reflects on the public's gullibility. ### [The Moon-Hoax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxxii) The narrator and author of the book, who provides the account of the hoax and its aftermath. ### [Part VII: Ghosts and Witchcrafts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/part-vii-ghosts-and-witchcrafts) Author and commentator on humbug ### [Haunted Houses and Superstition Exposed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxxiv) Narrator and recipient of Kirby's story; reflects on the power of superstition. ### [Haunted Houses, Ghosts, and Superstitions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxxv) Narrator and author, reflecting on his own childhood exposure to ghost stories and the universal love of the marvelous. ### [Witchcraft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxxvii) Author and narrator, presenting a critical analysis of witchcraft as a humbug. ### [Charms and Incantations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxxviii) The narrator, who compiles and comments on the various charms and incantations, exposing them as humbug. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xlii) Narrator and commentator, providing context and judgment on St. Germain's humbug. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xliii) Referenced implicitly as the narrator of this historical humbug, drawing parallels to his own showmanship and the gullibility of the public. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xlv) The narrator, who provides a skeptical account of Joanna Southcott's humbug and its effects. ### [Ordeals—Duels—Wager of Battle—Abraham Thornton—Red Hot Iron—Boiling Water—Swimming—Swearing—Corsned—Pagan Ordeals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xlix) Narrator and commentator throughout the chapter, analyzing the superstitious and humbug nature of ordeals. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_barnum - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters