“Tom Thumb is a character of English folklore. The History of Tom Thumb was published in 1621, and has the distinction of being the first fairy tale printed in English. Tom is no bigger than his father's thumb, and his adventures include being swallowed by a cow, tangling with giants, and becoming a favourite of King Arthur. The earliest allusions to Tom occur in various 16th century works such as Reginald Scot's Discovery of Witchcraft (1584) where Tom is cited as one of the supernatural folk employed by servant maids to frighten children.

Aside from his own tale, Tom figures in Henry Fielding's play Tom Thumb, a companion piece to his The Author's Farce. It was later expanded into a single piece titled The Tragedy of Tragedies, or the History of Tom Thumb the Great.

In the middle 18th century, books began to be published specifically for children (some with their authorship attributed to “Tommy Thumb”) and, by the middle 19th century, Tom was a fixture of the nursery library. Charlotte Yonge cleansed questionable passages and the tale took on moral overtones. Dinah Mulock however refrained from scrubbing the tale of its vulgarities. Tom Thumb's story has been adapted to several films including the 1958 George Pal musical tom thumb starring Russ Tamblyn. Tiny folkloric characters like Tom are known in cultures around the world”. – Wikipedia

Photo: Portrait of the dwarf, Tom Thumb standing on the hand of a Guardsman. Charles Sherwood Stratton (1838 – 1883) was nicknamed General Tom Thumb by P T Barnum, the circus owner. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images). Circa 1875

Diminutive circus performer George Sherwood Stratton, better known as General Tom Thumb poses in Highland dress for the appreciation of two young ladies. He was given the nickname by the renowned circus owner P T Barnum. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images). Circa 1860

Portrait of the dwarf, Tom Thumb. Charles Sherwood Stratton. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images). Circa 1870

Portrait of the dwarf, Tom Thumb, stepping into his carriage. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images). Circa 1890

Portrait of the dwarf General Tom Thumb, in Highland dress. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images). Circa 1860

Charles Sherwood Stratton, known as General Tom Thumb (1838 – 1883) with his wife, Lavinia (1841 – 1919). He was only 40 inches high (101 cm). (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1863

George Sherwood Stratton, better known as General Tom Thumb standing on a chair between two Life Guards. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images). 1860