John P. Ordway
John P. Ordway (1824–1880) was an American physician, composer, and music publisher. He is best known for his contributions to minstrel shows and for composing the popular song "The Old Folks at Home" in collaboration with Stephen Foster.
Early Life[edit | edit source]
John Pond Ordway was born on August 1, 1824, in Salem, Massachusetts. He pursued a career in medicine and graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1847. Despite his medical background, Ordway had a profound interest in music, which led him to become a significant figure in the American music scene of the 19th century.
Musical Career[edit | edit source]
Ordway's passion for music saw him founding the Ordway Aeolians, a minstrel troupe, in the 1850s. The troupe gained popularity for their performances and contributed to the spread of minstrel shows across the United States. Ordway's compositions often reflected the musical styles of the time, blending elements of folk music and popular music.
One of his most notable collaborations was with Stephen Foster, a prominent American songwriter. Together, they composed several songs, including the enduring classic "The Old Folks at Home" (also known as "Swanee River"). This song became one of the most famous pieces of American music and remains a staple in the repertoire of American folk songs.
Contributions to Music Publishing[edit | edit source]
In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Ordway was also a music publisher. He established the John P. Ordway & Co. publishing house, which played a crucial role in disseminating popular music during the mid-19th century. His publishing company helped to popularize many songs that are now considered classics of American music.
Later Life and Legacy[edit | edit source]
John P. Ordway continued to balance his medical career with his musical endeavors throughout his life. He passed away on April 27, 1880, in Boston, Massachusetts. His contributions to American music, particularly in the realm of minstrel shows and popular song composition, have left a lasting legacy.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
