Blind Tom Wiggins
Linked to Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
Linked to Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins, pictured circa 1860 at about the age of ten, was born into slave status in Columbus. He was recognized as a musical prodigy by his owner, James Bethune, and was hired out as a child to traveling showman Perry Oliver. During the presidency of James Buchanan (1857-61), Blind Tom became the first African American musician to perform at the White House.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
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Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins, pictured circa 1860 at about the age of ten, was born into slave status in Columbus. He was recognized as a…
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