Burleigh, Harry Thacker

(born Dec. 2, 1866, Erie, Pa., U.S.—died Sept. 12, 1949, Stamford, Conn.) American baritone and composer, a noted arranger of Negro spirituals.

Burleigh studied under Antonín Dvorák at the National Conservatory of Music, New York City, and through his singing acquainted Dvorák with the traditional black vocal music of the United States. He was a soloist in New York City at St. George's Church (1894–1946) and at Temple Emanuel (1900–25). He composed more than 200 songs and became widely known for such arrangements as that for “Deep River.”