Stephen Collins Foster, the ninth of William B and Eliza T. Foster's ten children, was born July 4, 1862, in a white cottage high on the hillside above the Allegheny River in Lawrenceville, east of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Stephen was born on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence; the same day that two of our former Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died. He attended Athens Academy, Jefferson College and was also privately tutored. He like music better than any other subject. He enjoyed singing and learned to play the flute, violin and piano. As a teenager he began to compose his own songs even though his family encouraged him to work in a more secure profession. For three years while working as a bookkeeper for his brother, he composed music, and eventually had published enough compositions to become a full-time songwriter. Some of his most famous songs include "Oh Susanna," "Camptown Races," and "My Old Kentucky Home."
In 1850, Stephen fell in love and married Jane McDowell. Jane had auburn hair and eyes that matched. Her beautiful hair was the inspiration for the famous song, "Jeannie With The Light Brown Hair." One of the loveliest songs he wrote was the last some that came from his pen, "Beautiful Dreamer." He dies on January 13, 1864 at the youthful age of 37. During his life he composed over 285 songs and arrangements. Because Stephen Foster's songs are deeply rooted in American fold tradition, he will live on in the melodies of the beautiful music he created for us to enjoy. |
