This research has been kindly funded by:
The transnational history of animals is the final frontier of the historical discipline, a discipline that has traditionally been concerned with human ideas, human activity and human development. Meanwhile, animals have always been historical actors. Their interaction with one another and people has shaped the common history of all species.
More specifically, we might ask:
How have captive animals factored into the development of commercial entertainment in the United States? Could we write a history of animal life in such contexts by using animal welfare science research to understand historical primary sources documenting non-humans?
Jumbo and Barnum imagined as business partners. Harper’s Weekly 1882
Boston broadside, 1796
American Antiquarian Society
Seeing the Elephant
Luna Park elephant with riders and mahout, Coney Island, New York 1905
New York Public Library
To sort these questions out for herself Susan has turned to the circuses of the 19th century. These highly complicated enterprises traveled the world and became the epitome of commercial entertainment because they brought together the entrepreneurial ingenuity and capital of American showmen, the talent of circus performers, and exotic animals from every corner of the planet.
Yet, the paradox of commercial circuses was this: such companies offered the public idealized animal behavior in narrative shows that asserted man’s dominance over the natural world while, behind the scenes, circus staff realized their livelihood was dependent upon animal power they barely controlled.
Dr. Susan Nance History Univ. of Guelph Guelph, ON N1G 2W1 Canada
snance@uoguelph.ca (519) 824-4120 ex. 56327 fax (519) 766-9516
© 2006-2010 SUSAN NANCE
