John "Grizzly" Adams

John "Grizzly" Adams
"Grizzly" Adams, with his grizzly bear, Benjamin Franklin, from the 1860 Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine
Born
John Adams

(1812-10-22)October 22, 1812
DiedOctober 25, 1860(1860-10-25) (aged 48)
Other namesJames Capen Adams
Occupations
  • cobbler
  • zoological collector
  • merchant
  • miner
  • rancher
  • farmer
  • frontiersman
  • fur trader
  • hunter
  • trapper
  • animal trainer
  • circus performer
Years active1826−1860
Known forhis love of grizzly bears and performing with the trained bears in the circus

John Adams (also known as James Capen Adams and Grizzly Adams) (October 22, 1812 – October 25, 1860) was a famous California mountain man and trainer of grizzly bears and other wild animals he captured for menageries, zoological gardens and circuses.