Annie Jones Elliot (July 14, 1865 – October 22, 1902) was an American bearded woman, born in Virginia. She toured with showman P. T. Barnum as a circus attraction. Whether the cause of her condition was hirsutism or an unrelated genetic condition that affects children of both sexes and continues into adult years is unknown. Many photographers, including Mathew Brady, took her portraits during her lifetime, which were widely distributed. As an adult, Jones became the country’s top “bearded lady” and acted as a spokesperson for Barnum’s “Freaks”, a word she tried to abolish from the business. When Jones joined P. T. Barnum’s exhibition as a child of only nine months… she was billed as a new “infant Esau”. By the age of five, she had a mustache, sideburns, and beard, and became well known as the “Bearded Girl”… and went touring with Barnum’s “Greatest Show on Earth”, appearing in the circus sideshow and also in dime museums.
First Appearance Historical figure (b. 1865 – d. 1902)
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Description Annie Jones Elliot (July 14, 1865 – October 22, 1902) was an American bearded woman, born in Virginia. She toured with showman P. T. Barnum as a circus attraction. Whether the cause of her condition was hirsutism or an unrelated genetic condition that affects children of both sexes and continues into adult years is unknown. Many photographers, including Mathew Brady, took her portraits during her lifetime, which were widely distributed. As an adult, Jones became the country’s top “bearded lady” and acted as a spokesperson for Barnum’s “Freaks”, a word she tried to abolish from the business. When Jones joined P. T. Barnum’s exhibition as a child of only nine months… she was billed as a new “infant Esau”. By the age of five, she had a mustache, sideburns, and beard, and became well known as the “Bearded Girl”… and went touring with Barnum’s “Greatest Show on Earth”, appearing in the circus sideshow and also in dime museums.
