Episcopal church, which is one of the leading churches of New York City and among its members were numbered such persons as the late Mr. Seth Low and the late Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, who was especially fond of his singing. Mr. Burleigh is also employed by the aristocratic Fifth Avenue Jewish Synagogue. His reputation was achieved as a concert and oratorio singer. He is also a composer of note. His compositions include two festival anthems, a set of six short piano pieces based on Negro folk songs, a Cycle of Saracen Songs, "The Glory of the Day Was in Her Face," "Her Eyes Twin Pools," "Your Eyes So Deep," "Your Lips Are Wine," and "Il Giovine Guerriero." The small group of songs by which he is best known include "Deep River," "The Grey Wolf" to words by Symons: a superb setting of Walt Whitman's "Ethiopa Saluting The Colors," "The Soldier" and "Jean." The 1917 Spingarn Medal award was given to Mr. Burleigh.

Aldridge, Luranah A.-Daughter of Ira Aldridge, the famous actor, is a contralto singer of note. She has appeared in all of the most important opera houses in England and on the Continent. "The great Charles Gounod, in a letter addressed to Sir Augustus Harris, said she possesses the most beautiful contralto voice he has ever heard."

Hayes, Roland W.-He is the foremost singer of the colored race, and one of the leading tenors in America. He has a voice of great natural sweetness, purity and range. He has spent several years in Europe, where he secured a veritable triumph, especially in England, France. and Germany. For more details concerning Mr. Hayes, see above page (54).

Walker, Rachael.-Prima donna soprano of Cleveland, Ohio. Studied in Paris and London. In London, with Sir Henry J. Woode, conductor of the famous Queen Hall Orchestra. Miss Walker is one of the leading American singers. She is said to have made an instantaneous success on her first appearance in London. Was complimented by royalty.

Some other singers of prominence are: Marion Anderson, Philadelphia, contralto; William H. Richardson, Boston, baritone; Uriah H. Richardson, Boston, basso; Clarence Tisdale, Chicago, tenor; John W. Work, Nashville,tenor. Mrs. Calloway Byron, Chicago, Dramatic soprano; Cleota J. Collins, Cleveland, soprano; L. B. Duppe, Springfield, Mass., baritone; Mrs. Florence Cole, Talbert, Detroit, lyric soprano; J. A. Myers, Nashville, tenor; Mrs. Jennie C. Lee, Director of Music, Tuskegee Institute.

Instrumentalists.

He was

Saint George, Chevalier of France; Born, 1745; died, 1799. born on the island of Guadeloupe, the son of a black woman and of a Frenchman, a Comptroller-General, M. De Boulogne. He was brought to France while very young and placed under the care of the most famous and skillful teachers.

He appears to have been, a "man of parts." He skated admirably, shone as a marksman, was an expert horseman and a finished dancer. His real talents however, concerned themselves with fencing and music. It was the combination of these two gifts which so completely challenged the admiration of France. "It is on his skill, however, as a musician, a violinist that Saint-George's fame most rests. He appealed to the imagination of the French people and many a saying, many a legend centered about this individual of mysterious origin who gained fame from the foil and the violin."

"In the winter of 1772-1773 he played at the Concert des Amateurs two concertos of his own for violin with orchestra. The Mercure, an important paper of the time, spoke of these concertos highly, and later they acquired considerable vogue; yet they were only a beginning to be followed in June, 1773, by six string quartets. This is especially significant since Laurencie declares that Gossec and Saint George were the first French musicians to write string quartets. In 1777 his versatility took on a new turn and he essayed the theatre, presenting Ernestine a comedy at the Comedie Italienne. The libretto was not worth mentioning

but the music was excellent, bearing a distinct flavor of Gluck. Later he produced The Hunt, (La Chasse) which succeeded fairly well. In 1792, he raised a body of light troops under the name of 'Saint-George's Legion,' recruited among men of color! This is easily the most amazing of his many amazing feats. One wonders where he found them."

Bridgetower, George Augustus Polgreen, violinist, musical prodigy, a friend of Beethoven. Born in Viala or Biala, Poland about 1780. Bridgewater was a son of an African father and a Polish or German mother. His father brought him to London in 1790. He made his first public appearance at the Drury Lane Theater, where he played a violin solo between parts of "The Messiah." He attracted the at

tention of the Prince of Wales who became his patron. In a series of concerts given in 1803, he received assistance from Beethoven. In 1803 Beethoven wrote the following commendatory letter concerning Bridgetower.

"Monsieur Baron Alexandre de Wetzlar. At home, on May 18th, although we have never spoken, I do not hesitate for all that to speak of the bearer, Mr. Bridgetower, as a master of his instrument, a very skilful virtuoso worthy of recommendation. Besides concertos, he plays in Quartets in a most praiseworthy manner and I wish very much that you would make him better known. He has already made the acquaintance of Lobkowtitz, Fries, and many other distinguished admirers. I believe that it would not be unwise to bring him some evening to Theresa Schonfeld's whom I know has many friends, or else at your home. I am sure you will be thankful to me for the acquaintance of the man, Leben Sie wohl, my dear Baron. Respectfully yours, Beethoven.'

Bridgewater later fell into obscurity and died in London in 1860. Joseph Douglass, of Washington, and Clarence Cameron White, of Boston, have achieved distinction as violinists. Carl Diton, of Philadelphia, Hazel Harrison, of Indianapolis, Mrs. Helen Hagan Williams, Morristown, N. J., are noted pianists.

Bethune, Thomas Greene.-"Blind Tom," noted musical prodigy. Born blind and a slave, near Columbus, Georgia, May 25, 1849. Died June 13, 1908.

From infancy he manifested an extraordinary fondness for musical sounds. Is said to have exhibited his musical talent before he was two years old. He played the piano when four years old, and was soon able to play every-thing he heard, not only the most difficult pieces, but he also imitated the birds, wind, rain, thunder, etc. Appeared in his first concert when eighteen years old. Traveled for years and gave concerts in every part of America and Europe. Could immediately play any selection by only hearing it once. One of the few great musical prodigies.

Boone, John William.-"Blind Boone," (Columbia, Mo.) Musical prodigy. Born May 17, 1864 at Miami, Missouri. When an infant lost eye-sight through disease.

In early childhood gave indication of musical ability. While not the equal of Blind Tom, Boone's talent manifests itself along much the same lines. His repertoire are imitations of a Train, A Musical Box, A Drummer Boy, A Tornado and selections from Beethoven and other great masters. Since 1880 Blind Boone has regularly toured the country in concert, principally in the Western States and Canada.

"Maud Cuney Hare, Boston, Massachusetts, composer, author and exponent of Creole and Afro-American music. She has received commendation for her display of rare manuscripts and documents relating to this music recently exhibited at Wanamaker's Philadelphia store. One case was devoted to Creole music, pertaining to which Mrs. Hare personally showed interesting pictures and old music. The place

of the African in music is an honored one. As early as the sixth century an Arabian Negro, Mabed, is spoken of in old records as possessing a remarkable voice and keen technic in composition. Again, in the sixteenth century, there are numerous accounts of Negro entertainers of high type, though little of their work remains. In her interesting exhibits, Mrs. Hare has traced the development of various African dances and shown that the tango or tangona, as it is known in Africa; the Habanera, commonly associated with Cuba, and the bamboula, often thought indigenous to Louisiana, are all traceable to ancestors in Africa, and not Spain.

Douglass, Joseph Henry.-Grandson of Frederick Douglass. He was born in Washington, D. C., July 3, 1871. He is a noted violinist. Mr. Douglas graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, studied a year in London and, also spent some time in the New York Conservatory of Music. For the past twenty years he has enjoyed distinction as a violin soloist. He has played before Presidents Taft and McKinley.

White, Clarence Cameron.-The American Artists Review said recently "The Negro race has produced two violinists who have attracted national attention as artists, Clarence Cameron White, and Joseph H. Douglass. They occupy first rank among American musicians and the race is justly proud of them."

Mr. White received his early training under the best American violin teachers and when in Europe studied with the great Russian violinist, Mr. M. Zacharewitch. Mr. White is author of "A New System of One Octave Scale Studies for the Violin." He is also a composer. His Cradle Song for the violin and piano has been highly commended. His address is Institute W. Va.

REFERENCES: Trotter, "Music and Some Musical People," Boston, 1885; Washington, "The Story of the Negro," Volume II, chapter XI, New York, 1909; Brawley, "The Negro in Literature an Art," Atlanta, 1909.

PAINTERS.

Bannister, E. M., of Providence, Rhode Island, was one of the first Negroes in America to achieve distinction as a painter. He was the founder of the Providence Art Club, which is to-day the leading art organization in Providence. "Its membership, mostly, if not wholly white, includes many of the leading citizens of the city and state." One of Mr. Bannister's pictures "Under the Oaks" was awarded a medal at the Centennial Exposition of 1876. The picture became the property of the Duffe Estate of New York City.

Tanner, Henry O., born June 21, 1859, at Pittsburgh, the son of Bishop Benjamin T. Tanner of the A. M. E. Church, is one of the most distinguished of present day American artists. He resides in Paris.

The French Government has purchased a number of his paintings for its collection of the modern arts in the Luxemburg Gallery. During the past two or three years comprehensive exhibitions of his paintings have been made in the leading art galleries of the United States. His favorite themes are scriptural. Some of his paintings that have attracted much attention are "The Holy Family," "Mary and Elizabeth,' ," "Christ Walking on the Sea.' "Christ Learning to Ride," "Hills Near Jerusalem," "The Hiding of Moses," "A Lady of Jerusalem," and "Christ at the Home of Lazarus.”

Harper, William A., of Chicago, who died 1910, was just coming into prominence. His productions had received much favorable comment at the Chicago Art Institute exhibitions. He had spent two years in study in Paris. Among his subjects were "The Last Gleam," "The Hillside," and "The Gray Day."

Scott, William Edward.-He is a young artist of prominence. He was born in Indianapolis, March 11, 1884. After graduating from the high school in that city, he entered the Chicago Art Institute where he studied for five years and won scholarship and prizes to the amount of about nine hundred dollars.

He took the Magnus Brand Prize for two successive years. He studied in Paris at the Julian Academy and under Henry O. Tanner. Three of his paintings were accepted by the Salon des Beaux Arts at Toquet. The Argentine Republic purchased one of his pictures, La Pauvre Voisine. He has completed Murad paintings for public buildings in Evanston, Illinois; Chicago and Indianapolis. He is interesting himself in Negro subjects and is doing in painting what Dunbar has done in verse. He has spent considerable time in the South painting Negro types.

Among other painters who are beginning to attract attention are: W. MFarrow, Chicago; Ernest Atkinson, of Baltimore; Cloyd L. Boykins, Boston; Mrs. Lula Adams, Los Angeles; Charles L. Dawson, Chicago; Richard Lonsdale Brown, New York City; Laura Wheeler, Philadelphia; Effie Lee, Wilberforce; Arthur Winston, Chicago and John Hardwick, Indianapolis.

SCULPTORS.

Two women of the race have achieved some distinction as sculptors. The first of these is Edmonia Lewis, who was born in New York in 1845. She first attracted notice by exhibiting in 1865 in Boston a bust of Robert Gould Shaw. That same year she went to Rome where she has since continued to reside. Her most noted works are: "The Death of Cleopatra," "The Marriage of Hiawatha," and "The Freed Woman." "The Death of Cleopatra" was exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876.

Warrick, Meta Vaux., (Mrs. Fuller, the wife of Dr. Solomon C. Fuller, of South Framingham, Mass.), is the most noted sculptor of the Negro race in America at the present time. She first attracted attention by her work in clay in the Pennsylvania School of Industrial Art.

In 1899 she went to Paris to study, where she attracted the attention of Rodin, the great French sculptor. In 1903 she exhibited, in the Paris salon, a group entitled "The Wretched." This is considered her masterpiece. Some of her other works are, "The Dancing Girl," "The Wrestlers," and "Carrying the Dead Body." One of her groups which was made for the Jamestown Ter Centennial represents the advancement of the Negro since his introduction into this country as a slave in 1619. Her more recent works are: "Immigrant In America," "The Silent Appeal," and "Peace Halting The Ruthlessness of War.” Jackson, Mrs. May Howard.-Washington, D. C. In recent years her work has attracted attention. Some of her busts exhibited in the Vorhoff Art Gallery provoked favorable comment from the art critic of the Washington Star. A head of a model in clay which was placed on exhibition in the Corcoran Art Gallery received favorable comment from the art critics. Pieces of her sculpture exhibited at the National Academy of Design and at the showing of the Society of Independent Artists in New York City, were favorably received.

POETS.

Latino, Jaun.-The poet, Latino mentioned in Cervante's "Don Quixote," was a Negro. He is said to have been born in Northern Africa and to have been captured by Spanish traders, brought to Seville and sold in the family of the famous Gonzalo de Cordova.

He is said to have had great ability for learning. He was permitted to study along with his young master. He was given his freedom and became professor

of Grammar, Latin and Greek at the University of Granada. One Spanish writer speaks of Latino as the most famous Negro of his day. He is buried in the church of St. Ann, Granada, and on his tomb is engraved the following epitaph:

"Jaun was an excellent Latin poet. He sang the birth of Prince Ferdinand II, the deeds of Pius V's pontificate and the time of Don Jaun of Austria at Lepanto.' The book a quarto volume, is printed in Latin and was published at Granada in 1573. Another book in Latin by Latino is on the Spanish Royal Cemetery, a better known title is the Escurial. This book was published at Granada in 1576.

Antar.-Antarah ben Shedad el Absi (Antar the lion) is one of the most famous figures in Arabic and Mohammedan literature. His fame as a literary character is said to be greater than that of any modern author of Negro blood not excluding Pushkin in Russia, or the elder Dumas in France. Antar appears to have been born about 550 A. D. and to have died about 615, A. D. His father appears to have been an Arab of noble blood, and his mother, an Abyssinnian slave.

Antar was both a warrior and a poet. As a warrior he became the protector of the tribe and the pattern of Arabic chivalry. He was selected by his clan as a contestant in those poetical contests that were peculiar to the Arabs in the pre-Islamic days. In those poetical contests, Antar was so successful that he came to be acknowledged as the greatest poet of his time, and one of his odes, the "Mu Allakat" was selected as one of the seven suspended poems which were judged by the assemblage of all the Arabs to be worthy to be written in letters of gold and to be hung on high in the sacred Kaabah at Mecca as accepted models of Arabian style. After his death the fame of his deeds as a warrior spread across the Arabian peninsula and throughout the Mohammedan world. In time these deeds were recorded in a literary form. "The Romance of Antar,' ranks among the great national classics like the Shah-nameh of Persia and the "Nibelungen-Lied," of Germany. Antar is claimed to have been the father of knighthood. "The Romance of Antar" in its present form probably preceded the romance of chivalry so common in the twelfth century in Italy and France. The unanimous opinion of the East has always placed the romance of Antar at the summit of literature. "The Thousand and One Nights," says one of their writers, "is for the amusement of women and children. Antar is a book for men from it they learn lessons of heroism, of Magnanimity, of generosity and of statecraft."

Pushkin, Alexander Sergueyevich.-Born 1799, died 1837. The greatest poet of Russia, and unanimously acknowledged to be the founder of modern Russian literature, "Pushkin's name means to an English-speaking reader infinitely less than that of Turgenev or Tolstoy. But, however, paradoxical it may sound, this name means to a Russian infinitely more than the names of all the great poet's successors, including even Tolstoy. Pushkin stands quite apart; no cultured Russian would think of comparing any other writer with him, for to Russia, Pushkin is what Dante is to Italy, what Shakespeare is to England or Goethe to Germany. To a country which practically had no literature of its own he gave immortal verse and prose-novels, short stories, long poems, tragedies, dramas, ballads, lyrical stanzas, sonnets, critical and historical essays, etc.

Pushkin is not only the father of Russian literature; he is also the father of Russian culture. To a country which had hardly emerged from medievalism he showed an immense wealth of ideas, subjects, questions, problems, and he transplanted the highest spiritual values of the West into Russian ground. Russia's further cultural development proceeded strictly within the lines drawn by Pushkin." He came of a noble Moscow family and inherited African blood from a maternal ancestress. For sketches of Pushkin, see Histories of Russian Literature and Standard Encyclopedias. There are numerous editions of his works. For these consult the New International Encyclopedia.