Stephen Collins Foster, (July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864) wrote over 200 songs; among his best-known apparently are "Oh! Susanna", "Hard Times Come Again No More" , "Camptown Races", "Old Folks at Home" ("Swanee River"), "My Old Kentucky Home", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", "Old Black Joe", and "Beautiful Dreamer".
His compositions are thought to be autobiographical and he has been identified as "the most famous songwriter of the nineteenth century" and may be the most recognizable American composer in other countries. His compositions are sometimes referred to as "childhood songs" because they have been included in the music curriculum of early education. Most of his handwritten music manuscripts are lost, but copies printed by publishers of his day can be found in various collections ( thanks wiki)
He died aged 37 in the charity ward of Bellevue hospital in NYC, an alcoholic, penniless and consumed by loneliness and debt, on January 13, 1864.
His death followed the completion of his last song "Beautiful Dreamer". It was said to be written two weeks earlier, Foster wrote about escape from bitter realities. He is said to have died with a purse carrying 38 cents and a scrap of paper reading "Dear friends and gentle hearts"..
I have tried to find the place he was staying here in NYC, where he took his fatal fall, I have found a reference to it , a hotel / lodging house in the Bowery, but no idea where it was so am guessing that building is long gone!!
However there is one in Hoboken that remains: At Sixth and Bloomfield Streets a four-story walk-up, a typical home in the area except for the small plaque next to the buzzer : ''Stephen Collins Foster, composer of 'Old Folks at Home' and other immortal songs, lived in this house during the year 1854.''
He was the first occupant 233 Bloomfield Street, which is now No. 601. While living in Hoboken, or shortly before moving Foster wrote ''Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair.
Maybe a visit this weekend is needed to check it out !!
If you are interested check out some links below :
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