P.T. Barnum, Joice Heth and Antebellum Spectacles of Race

Reiss discusses how Joice Heth traveled with P. T. Barnum's circus as a human curiosity. Upon Heth's death, a public autopsy was performed that showed her exhibit to be a hoax. The Heth exhibit exaggerated stereotypical attributes of blacks.

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American quarterly 1999-03, Vol.51 (1), p.78-107
Main Author: Reiss, Benjamin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autopsies
Barnum, P T (Phineas Taylor) (1810-1891)
Black people
Circuses
Heth, Joice
History
Hoaxes
Race
Stereotypes
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Description
Summary:Reiss discusses how Joice Heth traveled with P. T. Barnum's circus as a human curiosity. Upon Heth's death, a public autopsy was performed that showed her exhibit to be a hoax. The Heth exhibit exaggerated stereotypical attributes of blacks.
ISSN:0003-0678
1080-6490
1080-6490
DOI:10.1353/aq.1999.0013