Timeline
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May 1888 Burleigh joined Fisk University Jubilee Singers of New Orleans, whom he traveled with for eight months.
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December 12, 1866 Harry Thacker Burleigh was born in Erie, PA to Henry and Elizabeth Burleigh Harry T. Burleigh (l) with grandfather Hamilton Waters and brother Reginald Waters (r), ca. 1868. From Snyder, Harry T. Burleigh. |
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Summer 1892 Burleigh spent the summer in Saratoga Springs, NY, working as a waiter at the Grand Union Hotel. He immersed himself in the music culture, including performing at services at the Young Men’s Christian Association. Broadway at the United States Hotel, Saratoga Springs, ca. 1900, Detroit Publishing Co. Library of Congress, Print and Photographs Division. |
December 1891 Burleigh moved to New York City to study at the National Conservatory of Music on a full scholarship. 
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1894 Burleigh was chosen as a soloist with the choir at St. George’s Episcopal Church in New York City after competing against 60 others. |
1898 Married poet Louise Alston, February 9 |
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1900 Burleigh became the first African-American soloist in Temple Emanu-El’s choir in New York City. Temple Emanu-El, 65th Street, New York City. Courtesy of the New York Public Library, Digital Collections. |
1899 Alston Waters Burleigh, Harry T. Burleigh and Louise Alston Burleigh's son, was born Three generations —Rachel Farley, Louise Alston Burleigh's mother; Louise Alston Burleigh, and Alston Waters Burleigh, circa 1900. Photo courtesy of the Burleigh family. Snyder, Harry T. Burleigh. |
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1906 Burleigh sang at the African American Council Convention for delegates from 20 states. 1916 Burleigh released the first of a series of arrangements of “Deep River”, one of his most famous works. |
1914 Burleigh helped to found the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) 1917 His original composition, “Little Mother of Mine” was made famous by opera singer Enrico Caruso. |
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1924 Burleigh made his radio debut on the broadcasting of the celebration of his 30th anniversary as the baritone soloist at St. George’s Church. St George’s Church, 209 E. 16th Street, New York City, ca. 1905. Library of Congress, Print and Photographs Division. |
1919 George Broome, a friend of Burleigh’s, established the first black recording phonograph recording company, Broome Special Photograph Records. Burleigh sang his own arrangement of “Go Down, Moses” for Broome, which was his only commercial recording. September 12, 1949 Harry T. Burleigh died of heart failure at age 82, in New York City. Harry T. Burleigh, 1943 Digital Library, University of Pennsylvania |
