Burleigh, H. T. (Harry Thacker), 1866-1949

African American composer H.T. (Harry Thacker) Burleigh was born in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1866. In 1892, he enrolled in the National Conservatory of Music in New York City where he also took a job as assistant to composer Antonin Dvorak. Burleigh graduated in 1896 and continued teaching sight singing at the Conservatory until 1898. In 1894, he became the first African American to hold the position of baritone soloist at St. George's Episcopal Church in lower Manhattan, a position he held for 50 years. In 1898 he married poet Louise Alston, who wrote lyrics for a number of his compositions. They had one son, Alston, born in 1899. Burleigh is known for arranging traditional spirituals for solo voice with accompaniment, including "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Stand Still Jordan," "Go Down Moses," "Deep River," among others. Burleigh died in 1949.

From the description of H.T. Burleigh collection. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 751990004