Women in comedy have a long history. In the Middle Ages and 16th century, the rich were entertained by jesters. Some jesters were female. The custom of having jesters died out in the 17th century. But the modern circuses began in the late 18th century and by the beginning of the 19th century, they included clowns. By the mid-19th century, there were female clowns. In 1846 a London newspaper mentioned female clowns. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, there were women comedians in music halls (in music halls a variety of acts would entertain the crowds). Read more in my history of women's jobs.
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