The Resume

(July 14, 1865-October 22, 1902)
Born in Marion, Virginia
Bearded lady
Exhibited by P.T. Barnum

Why she might be annoying:

Her parents were initially horrified by her appearance.
Barnum first exhibited her when she was nine months old, billing her as the ‘infant Esau.’
By age five, she sported a beard, mustache, and sideburns.
She campaigned to abolish the use of ‘freaks’ to describe sideshow performers.

Why she might not be annoying:

She supported her parents on her $150 per week salary.
She was kidnapped by a phrenologist as a young child (although it may have been a publicity stunt arranged by Barnum).
Not content with just being stared at, she learned to play the mandolin and was a fine singer.
She served as a spokesperson for Barnum’s sideshow performers.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Born on Bastille Day [July 14th] (Ranked: 1865)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 75]
• Child Brides [16 and Under] (Ranked: 15)
• Child Stars [Pre-1900]
• I Died in 1902 (Ranked: 37)
• I Died in My 30s (Ranked: 37)
• I Have Tuberculosis
• I Joined the Circus
• I Was a Child Star
• I Was Exhibited by P.T. Barnum
• I was Kidnapped
• My Spouse is at Least Ten Years Older than Me
• Profiles 46751-47000 (Ranked: 46808)
• Side Show Freaks
• Smith Versus Jones

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 8 Votes: 12.50% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying