Exhibits: Irish American Hall of History

Stephen Foster

1826 - 1864

Composer

Stephen Foster is by far America's most well-known composer. His lyrics and melodies are still in the mainstream today 140 years after his death. Stephen Foster's great grandfather Alexander Foster had come to the States from Co. Londonderry, Ireland about the year 1725. They settled in an area of Pennsylvania that was mostly Scotch-Irish. The family associated with other Irish families such as the O'Hara's, the Butler's, the Collins's, the Nevilles and the Kirkpatricks. He was born Stephen Collins Foster, the ninth of ten children on July 4, 1826. Since both sides of his family had been in the states for over 100 years they were truly Americans. Stephen had many family members that had made a name for themselves in the Revolutionary War.

Since the Fosters were a middle-class family, Stephen was privately tutored and then sent to private academies. He was an avid reader and it was clear early on that he had some musical talent. One of his childhood past-times was singing in an all-male secret club that met at his home. Stephen would be the song-leader and composer during these meetings. It is thought that "Oh! Susanna" may have been written for this group. His first published song was in 1844. In 1850 "Oh! Susanna" became a hit and Stephen launched his career as a professional songwriter. He also married Jane Denny MacDowell in 1850 and moved to Pittsburgh where he would call home for the rest of his life.

At first he wrote parlor songs and ballads and dances. After The Christy Minstrels had such a huge success with "Oh! Susanna" he decided to write for the minstrels which was by then the most popular form of entertainment in America. He wrote exclusively for fellow Irish-American E. P. Christy who in the 1850's was the most popular entertainer in America. Ethiopian songs were the most popular hits in the 1850's. Prior to this partnership, the Christy Minstrels music was demeaning to African-Americans (Ethiopians) by being coarse and using buffoonery. Foster found this offensive and his songs reveal a sensitivity to the subject. He humanized the characters and was never trashy or offensive. He eventually dropped the "negro" dialects in his songs all-together. "Old Folks at Home" and "Nelly Bly" reflect his advanced thoughts on the subject well.

Stephen worked very hard at crafting songs and he often labored over the smallest details. He studied various poetic and musical styles to fit his songs. His intention was to write the people's music. He wanted his music to be understood by all groups of people. He was a pioneer. In 1850 there was no music industry in America and Stephen Foster would pay the price. He would only receive a small amount of the royalties from his songs that sold millions. During his lifetime he averaged only $1,371 a year, while many publishers, entertainers and others made a living off of his work. It is also not uncommon to find some of Foster's music published with other names listed as the composer. He only received $100 for writing "Oh! Susanna."

The list of great songs written by Foster goes on and on. "Beautiful Dreamer," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Goodnight," "Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair," and "Hard Times Come Again No More" are but a few. Like so many musical genuis's his life was not easy. He sold off his future rights to his songs to pay off debts. His wife and child had left him and he was drinking heavily. Because he was not a performer he was still not very well-known to the public. Even during his lifetime his songs were thought to be old American folk songs and were not credited to him. After moving to New York he became ill and trying to get out of bed he hit his head on a washbasin. He died three days later with only 38 cents in his pocket and to his name. He was only 37 years old.

Stephen Foster's honest expression of real emotion in his songs is the life blood of art. His songs are uniquely American yet have a universal appeal. He was courageous in the fact that there was no such thing as a song-writer during his lifetime. His songs will be with us for generations to come.

External Links

• Stephen Foster - Center for American Music
• Stephen Foster - Songwriters Hall of Fame
• Stephen Foster - Wikipedia