A Short History of the American Negro (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913. Excerpt: ... artists just mentioned; but he is fast winning a reputation as one of the foremost organists in the United States. Of the violinists Joseph Douglass, of Washington, D. C, has for years held his place as the foremost violinist of the race. To rare experience he adds great technical mastery of his instrument. Clarence Cameron White and Felix Weir, both also of Washington, are prominent among the younger men in this special field. In this general sketch of those who have added to the musical achievement of the Negro race, there is a name that should not be overlooked. "Blind Tom," who attracted so much attention some years ago, deserves notice as a prodigy rather than as a musician of solid accomplishment. His real name was Thomas Bethune, and he was born in Columbus, Ga., in 1849. He was peculiarly susceptible to the influences of nature, and imitated on the piano all the sounds he knew. Without being able to read a note he could play from memory the most difficult compositions of Beethoven and Mendelssohn. 144. Inventors.--The first Negro scientist to come into prominence was Benjamin Banneker of Maryland, who in 1770 constructed the first clock striking the hours that was made in America, and who published annually from 1792 to 1906 an almanac adapted to the requirements of Maryland and the neighboring states. Banneker attracted much attention by his knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, and his achievements made a reputation for him in Europe as well as in America. Up to the present time there have been granted to Negroes a little more than 1000 patents. The honor of being granted the first belongs to Henry Blair of Maryland, evidently a free Negro, who in 1834 took out a patent for a corn harvester. In ante-bellum days a rather queer situation arose m...