Born: August 30, 1820, Sheffield, Massachusetts. Died: August 6, 1895, Bailey Island, Maine. Buried: North Reading, Massachusetts. Pseudonyms
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Root’s musical talents were evident at an early age. By the time he was 13, he was proud that he could play a tune on as many instruments as his age. In 1838, Root moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied under George Webb. In 1845, he moved to New York City, playing the organ at the Church of the Strangers, and teaching music at the Abbott Institute for Young Ladies. In 1850, he toured Europe for a year. Afterward, he started working with Lowell Mason, at Boston’s Academy of Music. In 1851, Root began composing. One of his best known songs is “The Battle Cry of Freedom.” In 1859, Root began work at his brother’s company, Root and Cady, in Chicago, Illinois. In 1872, the University of Chicago awarded him an honorary Doctor of Music degree. Root’s works include:
Sources
Hymns
Music