Philip Peter Jacob Wirth

Philip Peter Jacob Wirth (29 June 186429 August 1937) was an Australian bandsman and circus proprietor who with his brother ran Wirth's Circus, later Wirth Bros. Circus.

Early life Philip Peter Jacob Wirth was born in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, on 29 June 1864.

His father was a Bavarian immigrant, and his mother was English. Johannes "John" Wirth, his father, moved from Germany to Australia in 1855, worked as a traveling musician, and in 1880 started a circus with his sons and daughters. Philip's siblings, John Jr., Harry, George, Marizles, Mina, and Madeline, formed the group.

Career Philip and his younger brother George began performing in their father's travelling band.

At nine, he joined John Ridge's circus in New South Wales, but by thirteen he and his brothers John, Harry, and George had purchased a side show, launching his career as a proprietor.

Amid the Australian banking crisis of 1893, he traveled overseas. During the 1890s, Wirth fled South America amid anti-British demonstrations and later toured South Africa at the height of the Boer War. He shared the role of ringmaster with his brother George, importing horses, trainers, and acts from abroad. Philip also trained his niece May Wirth, billed as "the world's greatest bareback rider."

After his brother George's retirement in 1930, Philip Wirth and his extended family continued to operate the circus until 1963.

In his older age, Philip Wirth learned the tin whistle and would often play it during circus performances.

Personal life and death His first marriage, to Sarah Jane Wirth, ended with a judicial separation in August 1922. Philip Wirth later married Alice Maud Willis. He had six children: Eileen, Doris, Madeline, Phillip Jr., George, and Marizles.

In 1916, he established his family residence, "Oceanview," in Coogee, New South Wales. At the time of his death, he claimed the distinction of being the world's oldest showman. and published in 1934.