[laurav]

Ok... but got anyone from, say, the 1800's? Earlier? Ancient Greek cons (who was the guy who convinced the Trojans to let in the horse?) or medieval quacks? I'm brainstorming this list to share with a not terribly political group, so too much emphasis on the Clintons won't go over well.

[Martin Tell]

partial historical list (please pardon spellings - I don't have time to check):

Odysseus/Ulysses (check out the story of the cyclops and his homecoming

Baron von Munchousen (teller of tall tales)

the guy who ran the "Clever Hans" counting horse scam (19th century I believe)

"Automatic Turk" - 19th century chess playing robot that actually had a midget inside

Uri Geller (but not conclusively proven)

South Sea Bubble swindle

literary - the fox and cat in Pinnochio