Stephen Collins Foster (July 4, 1826 – January 13,
1864), known as "the father of American music", was an American songwriter primarily known for his parlor and minstrel music. Foster wrote
over 200 songs; among his best-known are "Oh!
Susanna", "Camptown Races", "Old
Folks at Home", "My Old Kentucky Home", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", "Old
Black Joe", and "Beautiful Dreamer". Many of his compositions remain popular more than 150 years
after he wrote them. His compositions are thought to be autobiographical. He has
been identified as "the most famous songwriter of the nineteenth century", and
may be the most recognizable American composer in other
countries. Wiki.
