Blind tom biography

A flute found in the Museum's collection was made by one of the finest flute makers of the late nineteenth century, William R. Meinell. It is a beautiful example of a modern, high-end instrument of its time. While the flute has interesting material attributes, it is the story of the person who used this artifact, Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins (May 25, 1849 – June 14, 1908) a blind African American musical prodigy, that is truly fascinating,

During the late nineteenth century, Wiggins was one of the most famous pianists and popular performers in the United States. Born enslaved in Columbus, Georgia, his enslaver, James Bethune, discovered Wiggins' musical abilities and began holding public concerts when Wiggins was only 8 years old. His first compositions were published in 1860 when he was only 11. The Bethune’s continued to hold concerts featuring Wiggins throughout the Civil War with much of the proceeds going to support the Confederacy. Wiggins' best known composition, "Battle of Ma

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Blind Tom Wiggins

American pianist and composer (1849–1908)

Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins (May 25, 1849 – June 14, 1908) was an American pianist and composer.^[1] He had numerous original compositions published and had a lengthy and largely successful performing career throughout the United States. During the 19th century, Wiggins was one of the best-known American performing pianists and one of the best-known Black musicians.

Early life

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Wiggins was born Thomas Greene^[2] on the Wiley Edward Jones Plantation in Harris County, Georgia. Blind at birth, he was sold in 1850 along with his enslaved parents, Charity and Domingo "Mingo" Wiggins, to a Columbus, Georgia lawyer, General James Neil Bethune.^[3] Bethune was "the first [newspaper] editor in the south to openly advokat secession".^[4] Wiggins's name was variously reported as "Thomas Greene Bethune",^[5] "Thomas Wiggins", or "Thomas Bethune"; his name

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Rubenstein Center Scholarship

Eleven-year-old piano prodigy and composer Thomas Greene Wiggins Bethune (1849-1908) is believed to have been the first African American artist to perform at the White House when he played for President James Buchanan in 1860. By that time "Blind Tom"—as the unsighted enslaved child was billed professionally by his white master-manager Colonel James Bethune—had toured the United States and was a national musical sensation. Those at the command performance in the Executive Mansion were also amazed that such moving and masterful music flowed from someone who was young and disabled (Tom suffered apparent mental deficiencies as well as blindness)—and also a "Negro." In an era when even many abolitionist whites presumed all blacks to be an inherently inferior race, one newspaper critic in attendance reported that Blind Tom's musical skills surpassed Mozart's.

Born in antebellum Georgia to an enslaved couple named Wiggins, Tom, who in infancy showed a