Kitty Cheatham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kitty Cheatham
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Kitty Cheatham in 1916
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| Born |
Catharine Smiley Cheatham
1864 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Died | January 5, 1946 Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Occupation | Singer, actress |
| Spouse(s) | William Henry Thomson |
| Parent(s) | Richard Boone Cheatham Frances Ann Bugg |
| Relatives | Richard Cheatham (paternal grandfather) Edward Saunders Cheatham (paternal uncle) Boyd M. Cheatham (paternal uncle) |
Catharine Smiley Cheatham (1864 – January 5, 1946), known as Kitty Cheatham, was an American singer and actress. She was also a talented speaker who performed for many important people. Kitty Cheatham became famous for singing children's songs and sharing traditional American folk music with audiences around the world.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Kitty Cheatham was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1864. Her father, Richard Boone Cheatham, was a well-known politician. He even served as the mayor of Nashville from 1860 to 1862. Her mother was Frances Ann Bugg.
Kitty began her musical journey at a young age. When she was just 14, she performed at the First Presbyterian Church in Nashville. Later, she traveled to study music in big cities like New York City, Paris, and Berlin.
A Career on Stage
Sharing American Folk Songs
Kitty Cheatham made her first professional stage appearance in London, England, in 1904. There, she performed special versions of African-American folk songs. She is remembered for helping to save these traditional songs. She also introduced them to audiences in Europe.
While in London, she met members of the British Royal Family. She became friends with them and performed for them many times.
Famous for Children's Music
Kitty Cheatham is best known for her contributions to children's music. She became popular worldwide by performing children's songs and telling stories. During her career, she performed for thousands of people in England, France, Germany, and the United States.
She even organized special children's concerts for famous groups like the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Kitty Cheatham also published two collections of her songs: Kitty Cheatham: Her Book in 1915 and A Nursery Garland in 1917. She knew and sang over 1,000 songs in nine different languages!
Speeches and Beliefs
Many of the songs Kitty Cheatham sang shared ideas about Christianity and American patriotism. She was a very religious person and a member of the Christian Science church. She was even friends with its founder, Mary Baker Eddy. Kitty wrote several books and articles about her religious and patriotic beliefs.
Cheatham was also a great public speaker. She gave a series of "illustrated lectures" about her travels in Europe. On June 28, 1930, she was invited to speak at the Millennial Celebrations in Iceland. She also spoke to delegates at the International Women's Congress in Budapest, Hungary, in 1937. She was an honorary vice-president of this important group.
Personal Life and Passing
Kitty Cheatham married William Henry Thomson on June 9, 1894.
She passed away on January 5, 1946, in Greenwich, Connecticut. She was buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
