'Dog boy', the 'living doll' and elephants balanced on tiny tin cans: The cruel realities of the Victorian circus

By Katy Winter

PUBLISHED: 06:21 EST, 19 March 2014 | UPDATED: 09:08 EST, 19 March 2014

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From the late 18th century hundreds of circuses travelled Britain, making the most of the new and expanding railway network to become one of the most popular forms of entertainment by the mid-19th century.

Performing under giant canvas tents, the larger circuses were famed across the country, often employing upwards of a thousand people.

While many of the acts were similar to those we might see today, such as gymnastics, and of course clowns, historically circuses also exhibited a variety of animals from domestic to the exotic, as well as the much famed freak show.

A portrait of JoJo, the 'Dog faced Boy' taken circa 1900. He was named by Barnum, one of the biggest circuses of the day, for his hairy face

A elephant balances on its front legs while trainers look on holding whips. The practice of performing exotic animals was widespread in Victorian circuses

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'Dog boy', the 'living doll' and elephants balanced on tiny tin cans: The cruel realities of the Victorian circus