E.P. Christy(1815-1862)

Edwin Pearce Christy was an American composer, actor and stage producer, most famous for founding the most successful black-face minstrel show of the 19th century, Christy's Minstrels. Born in Philadelphia, his career as a minstrel and singer began in Buffalo, New York, where he performed singing in the Edwin Dean Company in 1836. By 1843, the group was growing in popularity and began touring in and around upstate New York until 1846, when Christy took over management of the group. As Christy's Minstrels, they began performing in New York City at Palmo's Opera House. After performing at an 1847 benefit in Cincinnati for young songwriter Stephen Foster, the group began to specialize in performances of Foster's works and were instrumental in spreading the popularity of the songs of America's first professional songwriter. Foster even sold his song, Old Folks at Home (aka Swanee River) to Christy for his exclusive use, although this was done most likely due to Foster's ongoing financial difficulties due to the lack of enforcement of music copyrights back then. In the early to mid-1850's, Christy's Minstrels were one of the top stage attractions in New York City. Christy himself retired as a performer in 1855 but continued in entertainment, running a chain of theaters called Christy's Opera House in several cities, while his stepson George continued with the minstrel group. However, due to marriage and other personal problems, and afraid of the financial damage he was suffering due to the effects of the Civil War, on May 20, 1862, Christy committed suicide by throwing himself from a window at his residence at 78 East 18th Street in Manhattan. He died the next day from his injuries and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.