Oliver Ditson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oliver Ditson
Born	(1811-10-20)October 20, 1811 Boston, Massachusetts
Died	December 21, 1888(1888-12-21) (aged 77) Boston, Massachusetts
Nationality	American
Occupation	Music publisher
Known for	Pioneer of music publishing in America
Children	1
Relatives	Alice M. Ditson (daughter-in-law)
Signature

Oliver Ditson (born October 20, 1811 – died December 21, 1888) was an important American businessman. He started a company called Oliver Ditson and Company. This company became one of the biggest music publishers in the late 1800s. Ditson helped many musicians share their work with the world.

Oliver Ditson's Early Life

Oliver Ditson was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His family came from Scotland. He was born on October 20, 1811. His parents lived near the famous Paul Revere's home. This was on Hanover Street in Boston.

Starting His Career

In 1823, Oliver finished grammar school. He then started working for Col. Samuel Hale Parker. Col. Parker owned a book store in Boston. It was on Washington Street. Besides books, he also sold some music. At this time, popular books called the Waverley novels were new. Col. Parker was printing American versions of these books.

Oliver left the bookstore for a while. He wanted to learn how to be a printer. Around 1834, a fire destroyed Col. Parker's store. What was saved from the fire, Col. Parker moved to a new spot. Oliver, who was very helpful, moved with him. They set up in a wooden building on Washington Street.

Later, they moved to a small space in the famous 'Old Corner Bookstore'. This old building was built in 1712. It was run by William D. Ticknor.

Forming Parker & Ditson

In 1834, Oliver Ditson and Col. Parker officially formed a company. It was called Parker & Ditson. Oliver was 23 years old at this time. He decided to change their business. It became a store that focused on music. They sold music and published it too.

In 1840, Oliver bought out Col. Parker's share of the business. He then ran the company on his own. He called it Oliver Ditson.

Building a Music Empire

In 1857, Oliver Ditson's company got a new name: Oliver Ditson and Company. This happened when he started working with John C. Haynes. Their partnership eventually led to another company, John C. Haynes & Co..

Oliver Ditson's company published many important works. They released the first American version of Haydn's famous music piece, The Creation. They also published popular songs like "Jingle Bells" and "Darling Nelly Gray".

Ditson's company published most of the songs by the Hutchinson Family Singers. However, Ditson refused to publish their song "Get Off the Track." This was because the song supported ending slavery.

In 1858, Ditson bought Dwight's Journal of Music. This was a serious magazine about music.

During the American Civil War, Ditson published many popular songs. These included "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground".

The Ditson music collection was later bought by Theodore Presser in 1931.

Oliver Ditson's Death

Oliver Ditson passed away on December 21, 1888. He was 77 years old. He died at his home in Boston. He is remembered as a pioneer, meaning a very important person, in American music publishing.

Music Published by Ditson

Oliver Ditson's company published many different types of music, including:

• Hymns by Lillian Tait Sheldon
• Racquet Galop and other piano pieces by Kate Simmons
• Organ and vocal works by Fannie Morris Spencer
• American versions of Edvard Grieg's piano works, edited by Bertha Tapper
• Biographical Sketches of Eminent Musical Composers by Levina Buoncuore Urbino (1876)
• Compositions for rhythm band by J. Lilian Vandevere
• Piano teaching pieces by Margaret Wigham

Images for kids

• 

  Sheet music for Quadrille Militaire "Les Hussards" by Charles A. White published by Oliver Ditson & Co., 277 Washington Street, Boston, 1854

• 

  Sheet music for Durang's Horn Pipe published by Oliver Ditson, in Washington Street, Boston 19th century

• 

  Former Oliver Ditson Company building, 166 Terrace Street, in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Roxbury, Massachusetts, later changed into luxury apartments. The building says "Oliver Ditson Co. 1835-1925".