Music timeline

"Blind Tom" Wiggins publishes "Oliver Gallop" and "Virginia Polka"

Tom Wiggins' piano pieces “Oliver Galop” and “Virginia Polka” were published in 1860. Read more

"Blind Tom" Wiggins is first African American to perform at White House

In 1860, Blind Tom performed at the White House before President James Buchanan. Read more

Baltimore Sun reviews performance of "Blind Tom" Wiggins

TOM' the MUSICAL WONDER. We enjoyed an opportunity last night to hear the performance of the blind negro boy 'TOM' at Carrol Hall, and though... Read more

"Blind Tom" Wiggins composes "The Battle of Manassas"

Battle of Manassas was written by Thomas Wiggins (aka "Blind Tom") at the age of 12. It is a programmatic work which describes the first major... Read more

"Blind Tom" Wiggins performs at Camp Magnum, a Confederate Army camp

A letter written in 1862 by a soldier in North Carolina described some of Tom's eccentric capabilities: "One of his most remarkable feats was the... Read more

Tabbs Gross sues James Bethune and his sons claiming he had bill-of-sale for Blind Tom Wiggins' services

Why is Tom compelled to support Bethune and his two able-bodied sons who, fresh from the ranks of treason, are making the tour of the North with... Read more

"Blind Tom Wiggins" visits Europe on concert tour

In 1866 Tom began his European tour. At one concert, Tom listened to two pianos hammered nosily and simultaneously while a run of 20 notes was... Read more

Mark Twain attends "Blind Tom Wiggins" performance

Some archangel, cast out of upper Heaven like another Satan, inhabits this coarse casket; and he comforts himself and makes his prison beautiful... Read more

General James Bethune becomes legal guardian of Blind Tom Wiggins

On July 25, 1870, John Bethune had himself appointed Tom's legal guardian in a Virginia Probate Court, thereby negating the 1865 Indentureship... Read more

Brochure on Blind Tom Wiggins is published

The Marvelous musical prodigy, Blind Tom,: the Negro boy pianist, whose performances at the great St. James and Egyptian halls, London, and Salle... Read more

General James Bethune transfers management of Blind Tom Wiggins to his son, John Bethune

General Bethune transferred management of Blind Tom's professional affairs to his son John Bethune, who accompanied Tom on tour around the U.S. for... Read more

Custody of Blind Tom Wiggins granted to Eliza Stutzbach, widow of John Bethune

On July 30, 1887, a federal court ordered General Bethune to surrender Tom at Arlington, Virginia into the hands of Charity and his former... Read more

Blind Tom Wiggins rumored to be killed by Johnstown Flood

Tom was on tour in western Pennsylvania in May 1889 on the day of the Johnstown Flood, and rumor spread that he was among the casualties. Despite... Read more

Blind Tom Wiggins stops touring and joins vaudeville circuit

After being dogged by incessant legal challenges to her custodianship of Tom, Eliza Stutzbach took Blind Tom Wiggins off the concert circuit around... Read more

Scott Joplin publishes 'Maple Leaf Rag'

The "Maple Leaf Rag" (copyright registered September 18, 1899) is an early ragtime composition for piano by Scott Joplin. It was one of Joplin's... Read more

Blind Tom Wiggins performs publicly for last time

Prof. Southall reports that Tom's last public appearances appear to have been those of April 17-22, 1905 in Boston. She adds that the Boston... Read more

Blind Tom Wiggins dies

Tom died at age fifty-nine on June 13, 1908 at Eliza's home in Hoboken. A few days later The New York Times headline read "BLIND TOM, PIANIST, DIES... Read more

The New York Times reports on Blind Tom Wiggins' Death

BLIND TOM, PIANIST, DIES OF A STROKE Old Negro with Strange Mastery of Music Ends His Days in Hoboken. A CHILD ALL HIS LIFE Cared for in His... Read more

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John Lennon is born

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Elvis Presley entered the first grade

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Jimi Hendrix is Born

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