 Joseph
Henry Douglass (1871–1935) was a groundbreaking African-American concert
violinist, a son of Charles Remond
Douglass and Mary Elizabeth Murphy, and grandson of abolitionist
Frederick Douglass.
During the time following the Civil War,
many African-American musicians began to break into the art music genre.
Joseph Douglass, a concert violinist, was one of the first
African-American performers to be nationally and internationally
renowned. His influence came at an early age from his father and
grandfather, famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who were both
amateur violin players.
Douglass received his first big break as
a concert violinist at the age of 22 when he performed at the World's
Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair. On August
25, 1893 performers joined together to celebrate Colored American Day
(which Frederick Douglass helped plan). Included in the celebrations
were readings of Paul Lawrence Dunbar's poetry, performances by Sidney
Woodward and Deseria Plato. Joseph Douglass also performed at Colored
American Day, garnering him a large audience for his talents.
After his performance at the World's Columbian Exposition, he was very
well known. Douglass is credited as the first Black violinist to make
transcontinental tours. In the 1890s, he was lauded by the black press
as "the most talented violinist of the race". Douglass toured
extensively for three decades, performing in every Black educational
institution and America and a significant amount of churches as well.
Douglass was also the first violinist- of any race- to make recordings
for the Victor Talking Machine Company. He made recordings with them in
1914, but they were never released. On top of his performance career,
Douglass was an educator and conductor, too. He had tenured positions at
Howard University and the Colored Music Settlement School in New York
throughout his life. He had many students including a young Clarence
Cameron White.
Douglass was married to Fannie Howard Douglass.
Fannie was a musician as well, often accompanying Joseph's performances
on the piano. He and Fannie had two children: Blanche and Frederick III.
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