2-950-138 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Thomas Bethune (Blind Tom), 1887. African-American pianist and composer Blind Tom Wiggins was born into slavery and lived on the Bethune plantation in Georgia. He had numerous original compositions published, had a successful performing career throughout the United States, and was one of the best-known American performing pianists of the 19th century. He was also the first African-American to give a command performance at the White House. From "Men of Mark: Eminent, Progressive and Rising" by William J. Simmons.