William Billings
Biography
William Billings (1746-1800) is considered one of the first significant composers of the United States. He composed and published over 340 choral pieces during his lifetime. From his many published writings Billings manifested a strong personality:
"For my own Part, as I don't think myself confin'd to any Rules for Composition laid down by any that went before me, neither should I think (were I to pretend to lay down Rules) that any who came after me were any ways obligated to adhere to them, any further than they should think proper: So in fact, I think it is best for every Composer to be his own Carver."
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The work of Billings and other composers of the period formed the foundation of what would later become shape-note or Sacred Harp singing, a tradition that migrated to the southern and western United States and continues to the present day.
Billings had a striking appearance: he was blind in one eye, had a withered arm, a short leg, and a loud voice, and inhaled large quantities of snuff (powdered tobacco).
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.