Phineas Barnum Poses with Commodore Nutt

In this photograph Phineas Barnum poses with "Commodore Nutt," one of the little people Barnum managed. Commodore Nutt, who stood about 30 inches tall, began performing at the American Museum in 1860, and was advertised as "The Smallest Man in the World." His real last name was indeed Nutt. Barnum, of course, came up with the title of commodore, making him close to a nautical equivalent to General Tom Thumb.