George Frederick Root

George Frederick Root (30 August, 1820 – 6 August, 1895) was an American songwriter, who found particular fame during the American Civil War.

He was born at Sheffield, Massachusetts, and was named after the German-born British composer George Frideric Handel. Root left his farming community for Boston at 18, flute in hand, intending to join an orchestra. He worked for a while as a church organist in Boston, and in 1844 as a music teacher at a girl's school in New York. In 1850 he managed to make a musicial study tour of Europe, staying in Vienna, Paris, and London. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9F05E6D7103DE433A2575BC0A96E9C94649ED7CF Obituary] , "New York Times", Aug. 8, 1895, p. 2] He returned to teach music in Boston, Massachusetts and later Bangor, Maine, where he was director of the Penobscot Musical Association and presided over their convention at Norumbega Hall in 1856. [George Thornton Edwards, "Music and Musicians of Maine", p. 95]

On his return from Europe Root began composing and publishing sentimental popular songs, a number of which achieved fame as sheet-music. "Hazel Dell", "Rosalie the Prairie Flower", "There's Music in the Air" and others were, according to his "New York Times" obituary, known througout the country in the antebellum period. Root was not yet a household name, however, as he chose to publish his early songs under a pseudonym. [Obit, "NYT"]

Building on his talent for song-writing, Root moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1859 to work for his brother's music publishing house of Root & Cady. He became particularly successful during the American Civil War, as the composer of martial songs such as "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!","Just before the Battle, Mother", and "The Battle Cry of Freedom". He ultimately had at least 35 war-time "hits", ranging in tone from the bellicose to the ethereal. [Ibid] His songs were played and sung at both the home front and the real front. "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp" became popular on troop marches, and "Battle Cry of Freedom" became well-known even in England. [Ibid]

Root was awarded the degree of Musical Doctor by the first University of Chicago in 1872. He died at his summer home in Bailey Island, Maine, at the age of 75.

Root was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

"Tramp, Tramp, Tramp the Boys are Marching" provided the tune for the later (and ultimately better-known) "Jesus Loves the Little Children", with lyrics by C. Herbert Woolston.

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*Shof|id=189|name=George Frederick Root