Commodore Nutt

Commodore Nutt
Commodore Nutt in uniform, about 1865
Born	George Washington Morrison Nutt (1848-04-01)April 1, 1848 Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
Died	May 25, 1881(1881-05-25) (aged 33) Anthony House, New York City, United States
Cause of death	Bright's disease
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)
Weight	70 lb (32 kg) (at his death)
Spouse(s)	Lilian Elston of Redwood City, California

Commodore Nutt (George Washington Morrison Nutt; April 1, 1848 – May 25, 1881) was an American entertainer. He was a dwarf born in New Hampshire. 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 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 Lavinia's sister, Minnie Warren. 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.