Commodore Nutt | |
|---|---|
 Commodore Nutt in uniform, c. 1865 | |
| Born | George Washington Morrison Nutt April 1, 1848 |
| Died | May 25, 1881 (aged 33) New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Entertainer |
| Employer | P. T. Barnum |
| Known for | Rivaling General Tom Thumb for the hand of Lavinia Warren |
| Height | 29–30 in (74–76 cm) (at his 1862 debut) 42 in (110 cm) (at his death)[citation needed] |
| Spouse | Lilian Elston of Redwood City, California |
George Washington Morrison Nutt (April 1, 1848 – May 25, 1881), better known by his stage name Commodore Nutt, was an American dwarf and an entertainer associated with P. T. Barnum. In 1861, Nutt was touring New England with a circus when Barnum hired him to appear at the American Museum in New York City. Barnum gave Nutt the stage name Commodore Nutt, a wardrobe that included naval uniforms, and a miniature carriage in the shape of an English walnut. Nutt became one of the museum's major attractions.
Nutt was in love with Lavinia Warren, another dwarf at the American Museum. Lavinia was several years older than Nutt. She thought of him only as a "nice little boy". She married General Tom Thumb in a spectacular wedding masterminded by Barnum in 1863. Nutt went to the wedding as Thumb's best man, but resented his place in the show. He stayed away from women for a long time after the wedding. In 1879, he married Lilian Elston of Redwood City, California.
Nutt toured the world between 1869 and 1872 with the Thumbs and Minnie Warren, Lavinia's sister. They returned to America rich beyond their dreams after appearing before royalty around the world. Nutt left Barnum's employ after a disagreement with the showman. He toured with a comic opera company, put together a variety show on the United States West Coast, and operated western saloons in Oregon and California. He returned to New York City, and died there of Bright's disease in May 1881.