The Resume

(July 4, 1847-April 11, 1906)
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Birth name was James Anthony McGuiness
Co-founder of Barnum and Bailey's Circus (1881)

Why he might be annoying:

He took the last name of circus owner Fred Bailey, despite not actually being adopted by Fred.
He hated personal publicity to the point that he refused an audience with the Prince of Wales, who wanted to congratulate him on a successful tour of Britain.
His death was kept secret from the performers in the circus until after their evening show at Madison Square Garden.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was orphaned at age eight.
Before their merger, his circus was able to out earn Barnum's even in Barnum's hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The New York Times wrote, 'He can, without exaggeration, be called the creator of the modern circus.'
His motto was, 'Give the people the best -- spare no expense in doing it -- and they'll reward you.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Born on the 4th of July (Ranked: 1847)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 30]
• I Died in 1906 (Ranked: 58)
• I Joined the Circus
• I was Adopted or Orphaned
• Kid Rock Doesn't Like Me
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Profiles 29251-29500 (Ranked: 29382)
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 19060411)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 18 Votes: 11.11% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 22 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 23 Votes: 47.83% Annoying