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Commodore Nutt | |
|---|---|
 Commodore Nutt in uniform, about 1865 | |
| Born | George Washington Morrison Nutt April 1, 1849 Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States of America |
| Died | May 25, 1881 (aged 33) |
| Cause of death | Bright's disease |
| Resting place | Uncertain, but probably Merrill Cemetery, Manchester, New Hampshire |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Entertainer |
| Employer | P. T. Barnum |
| Known for | Rivaling General Tom Thumb for the hand of Lavinia Warren |
| Height | 29–30 in (at his 1862 debut) 42 in (at his death) |
| Spouse | Lilian Elston of Redwood City, California |
| Children | None known |
| Parent(s) | Major Rodnia Nutt Maria (Dodge) Nutt |
| Relatives | James Dodge Nutt (brother) Rodnia Nutt, Jr. (brother) Mary Ann Nutt (sister) |
Commodore Nutt (April 1, 1848 – May 25, 1881) was an American entertainer. He was born with the name George Washington Morrison Nutt in New Hampshire. He was very short. In 1861, he was touring New England with a circus when P. T. 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 little person like him, at the American Museum. Lavinia was several years older than Nutt. She thought of him only as a "nice little boy". This in some ways, made Nutt depressed later on in life. She married General Tom Thumb in a spectacular wedding masterminded by Barnum in 1863. Nutt went to the wedding as Thumb's best man. 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 Lavinia's sister, Minnie Warren. They returned to America rich after performing before royalty. 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 saloons in Oregon and California. He returned to New York City, and died there of Bright's disease in May 25, 1881.