Rollin Howard
Encyclopedia
Rollin Howard was an American
minstrel
performer, best known for his female blackface
impersonations.
Howard was born as Ebenezer G.B. Holder in New York City
around 1840, and appeared in minstrel productions from approximately 1860 to 1870. He appeared in other dramatic performances both before and after his minstrel period. After the American Civil War
, female impersonators became more common in minstrel shows, and Howard was considered one of the leading performers in such roles, along with Francis Leon
and Eugene d'Amelie.
Among songs that Howard performed, he was credited with "arranging" on one of the first sheet music publications for Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me
in 1869. The song was extremely popular, and though the exact authorship is not clear, at times Howard has received some authorship credit.(1 August 1902). Stories of Famous Songs, Houston Daily Post ("Shoo Fly Don't Bodder Me which was once credited to T. Brigham Bishop
the old minstrel, was written according to White's
diary by Rollin Howard ....")(30 August 1872). Personal, Detroit Free Press ("Rollin Howard, author of the famous song "Shoo Fly," has gone to Europe.")
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
minstrel
Minstrel show
The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface or, especially after the Civil War, black people in blackface....
performer, best known for his female blackface
Blackface
Blackface is a form of theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows, and later vaudeville, in which performers create a stereotyped caricature of a black person. The practice gained popularity during the 19th century and contributed to the proliferation of stereotypes such as the "happy-go-lucky darky...
impersonations.
Howard was born as Ebenezer G.B. Holder in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
around 1840, and appeared in minstrel productions from approximately 1860 to 1870. He appeared in other dramatic performances both before and after his minstrel period. After the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, female impersonators became more common in minstrel shows, and Howard was considered one of the leading performers in such roles, along with Francis Leon
Francis Leon
Francis Leon was a blackface minstrel performer best known for his work as a female impersonator. He was largely responsible for making the prima donna a fixture of blackface minstrelsy....
and Eugene d'Amelie.
Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me
Shoo, Fly, Don't Bother Me! was most likely written by T. Brigham Bishop and first published in 1869 by White, Smith & Perry. It has remained popular since that time...
in 1869. The song was extremely popular, and though the exact authorship is not clear, at times Howard has received some authorship credit.(1 August 1902). Stories of Famous Songs, Houston Daily Post ("Shoo Fly Don't Bodder Me which was once credited to T. Brigham Bishop
Thomas Brigham Bishop
Thomas Brigham Bishop is best known as an American composer of popular music...
the old minstrel, was written according to White's
Charles "Charlie" White
For the entertainer " 'Cool' White" see John Hodges Charles "Charlie" White , sometimes known as "Charley" White, was an early blackface minstrel entertainer.Born in June 1821, he was originally noted for playing the accordion...
diary by Rollin Howard ....")(30 August 1872). Personal, Detroit Free Press ("Rollin Howard, author of the famous song "Shoo Fly," has gone to Europe.")