Stephen FosterStephen Foster

Alex CorralAlex Corral

BirthBirth

►William Foster marries Eliza Tomlinson. William Foster marries Eliza Tomlinson. Both come from wealthy families. Both come from wealthy families.

► July 4 1826, Stephen Foster is born July 4 1826, Stephen Foster is born (ironic isn’t it!!!)(ironic isn’t it!!!)

►Throughout Stephen’s life, family goes Throughout Stephen’s life, family goes through a lot of money troubles. through a lot of money troubles.

ChildhoodChildhood

► In 1840, Stephen goes to Athens In 1840, Stephen goes to Athens Academy but only spends a year there. Academy but only spends a year there. Is a unenthusiastic student who has Is a unenthusiastic student who has potential to learn. potential to learn.

► In 1841, Stephen plays his first In 1841, Stephen plays his first composition on the flute. composition on the flute.

►Later that year in July, he enrolls in at Later that year in July, he enrolls in at Jefferson College but leaves after a Jefferson College but leaves after a week. week.

About Stephen FosterAbout Stephen Foster

► Although Stephen Foster’s parents came from Although Stephen Foster’s parents came from a wealthy background, his family was always a wealthy background, his family was always in debt. This continued even when Stephen in debt. This continued even when Stephen Foster was a well known musician.Foster was a well known musician.

► Much of his work was either about the South Much of his work was either about the South or about African American. or about African American.

► He only went to the south once!!He only went to the south once!!► Foster instructed people to sing his songs a Foster instructed people to sing his songs a

with a sense of compassion. To “build up with a sense of compassion. To “build up taste...among refined people by making taste...among refined people by making words suitable to their taste, instead of the words suitable to their taste, instead of the trashy and really offensive words which trashy and really offensive words which belong to some songs of that order."  belong to some songs of that order." 

Continued…Continued…

►He was known as an “American” He was known as an “American” composer because he wanted to make composer because he wanted to make songs for the people.songs for the people.

WorksWorks

► In 1844, Stephen publishes his first song In 1844, Stephen publishes his first song “Open thy Lattice Love” at the age of 18.“Open thy Lattice Love” at the age of 18.

► Moves to Cincinnati for a job in 1846. Moves to Cincinnati for a job in 1846. ► In 1847, on September 11, “O Susanna” In 1847, on September 11, “O Susanna”

premiers and immediately sweeps the premiers and immediately sweeps the nation. nation.

► 1848, Stephen publishes “Old Uncle Ned.” Is 1848, Stephen publishes “Old Uncle Ned.” Is appreciated by African Americans because it appreciated by African Americans because it “awaken sympathies for the slave.”“awaken sympathies for the slave.”

► In 1849, Foster publishes “Nelly was a lady.”In 1849, Foster publishes “Nelly was a lady.”► 1850, Foster publishes “Gwine to Run All 1850, Foster publishes “Gwine to Run All

Night,” or also known as “Camptown Races.”Night,” or also known as “Camptown Races.”

Works CitedWorks Cited

►www.pitt.edu/~amerimus/www.pitt.edu/~amerimus/fosterfoster.htm .htm ►www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/fosterfoster/ /