Stephen C. Foster

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Stephen C. Foster

• Americas Songwriter

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Stephen C. Foster
Dates July 4, 1826 January 1864
Country America
Style Romantic
Instrument Piano
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Early Years

• Stephen Collins Foster was born July 4, 1826 in
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Ninth child of William and Eliza Foster
• Father not happy about Stephens interest in
  music. Said it was a waste of time.
• Member of Knights of the S.T. (Square Table)

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Early Years cont..

• Lead singer and groups song composer (writer)
• Open Thy Lattice Love was published when he was
  only 18 years old

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Bookkeeper in Cincinnati

• Worked for older brothers shipping company as
  bookkeeper
• 1st hit song Oh, Susanna published
• Married Jane MacDowell
• Became America's 1st professional songwriter
• Jane and Stephen had one child Marion

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Life in New York City

• Foster was not very good with money
• Wife and child moved back to Pittsburgh without
  him
• Fell and hit head on sink burning and cutting him
• Died January 13, 1864 3 days after entering
  hospital

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Songs of Stephen Foster

• Wrote Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair in
  tribute to his wife
• E.P. Christy Minstrels made most of Fosters
  songs popular
• Best known song Old Folks at Home also called
  Swanee River
• Song written after he found a river name that fit
  the rhythm and melody of a song already

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Songs of Stephen Foster

• Oh Susana a nonsense song, was changed by the
  California 49ers and used by them as they
  traveled west for the Gold Rush
• Wrote over 200 songs including Beautiful
  Dreamer and My Old Kentucky Home which became
  the state of KYs state song

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Written in Honor of His Wife
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Beautiful Dreamer The Last Song
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Old Folks at Home
Also known as Swanee River