Robert macgimsey biography

Robert Hunter MacGimsey (1898 – 1979) was an American composer. His most famous song was "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" (1934), a well-known Christmas carol written in the style of an African-American spiritual.

Early years

Born Robert Hunter MacGimsey^[1] in Pineville, Louisiana, of white parents, MacGimsey spent most of his formative years in the company of blacks who lived with and worked for and with his family.

Due to their influence he wrote in an "African American" style,.^[2] and he is often mistakenly assumed to be a black composer.^{[citation needed]}

When he was young, MacGimsey sang in the church choir that his mother directed.

She ensured that he received training in music, eventually studying under Frank Damrosch at the Institute of Musical Art in New York.^[3]

Law and politics

Before he became known for his musical accomplishments, MacGimsey was an attorney in Lake Providence, Louisiana,^[4] in add