Phineas Taylor Barnum ( July 5 , 1810 â `` April 7 , 1891 ) was an American showman , businessman , and entertainer . He is most remembered for promoting hoaxes and for founding a circus . Phineas Taylor Barnum ( July 5 , 1810 â `` April 7 , 1891 ) was an American showman , businessman , and entertainer , remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the circus that became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus .