Chauncey Olcott (1858-1932)

Chauncey Olcott's career began with the minstrel companies that were popular in the 1870s. Eventually because of his lyrical voice he began doing opera and operattas. In 1890 he went to London where he made stage appearances and studied voice for three years. While he was an international personality it was with his Irish songs that he became quite famous. He wrote "My Wild Irish Rose" and collaborated on many other famous Irish songs including "Mother Machree" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." He wrote complete musical scores for many plays, which almost always had an Irish theme. He was a huge celebrity in his lifetime and at his funeral pallbearers included the Mayor of New York City, Governor of New York, Alfred E. Smith and another song and dance man named George M. Cohan.