Josephine Clofullia was a famous Swiss-born bearded lady who toured with P. T. Barnum"s "American Museum".
Background
Madame Clofullia, as she was often billed was born Josephine Boisdechêne in Switzerland. She was born hairy and reputedly had a two-inch beard at the age of eight. At the age of fourteen she began to tour Europe, first accompanied by her father and an agent and then with her father alone.
Career
She also gained extra fame when she fashioned her beard in the imitation of that of Napoleon III. In return, the ruler gave her a large diamond. Sideshow Barnum had her beard officially measured as 6 inches, gave Albert a new name — "Infant Esau", after the biblical character — and took them to his American Museum. In July 1853 William Charr took Clofullia to court, claiming that she was actually a man and an impostor.
During the case doctors examined her and verified that she was a female and the case was eventually dismissed.
Some have suspected that Barnum arranged the whole matter himself as a publicity stunt.