<P> Stephen Collins Foster ( July 4 , 1826 -- January 13 , 1864 ) , known as `` the father of American music '' , was an American songwriter known primarily for his parlor and minstrel music . Foster wrote over 200 songs ; among his best - known 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 '' . Many of his compositions remain popular more than 150 years after he wrote them . His compositions are thought to be autobiographical . 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 . </P>
<P> Stephen Collins Foster ( July 4 , 1826 -- January 13 , 1864 ) , known as `` the father of American music '' , was an American songwriter known primarily for his parlor and minstrel music . Foster wrote over 200 songs ; among his best - known 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 '' . Many of his compositions remain popular more than 150 years after he wrote them . His compositions are thought to be autobiographical . 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 . </P>
who is often considered america 's most prolific composer
who is often considered america 's most prolific composer
Stephen Collins Foster
Stephen Collins Foster