Entertainer, Composer. Born on the Wiley Edward Jones Plantation in Harris County, Georgia. Blind at birth, he was sold in 1850 along with his enslaved parents, Charity and Domingo "Mingo" Wiggins, to a Columbus, Georgia lawyer, General James Neil Bethune. Although blind and seemingly mentally handicapped, he was able to play the piano flawlessly by ear - reproducing the most complicated pieces after only one hearing. In 1859, he went out on the road as a touring musical sensation, and in 1860 he played for President James Buchanan at the White House. He later went on a tour of the South, raising money for the Confederacy during the Civil War. He also wrote over 100 compositions, some of which can be heard on the CD "John Davis Plays Blind Tom." He experienced a major stroke in April 1908, and died the following June, aged 59.
Entertainer, Composer. Born on the Wiley Edward Jones Plantation in Harris County, Georgia. Blind at birth, he was sold in 1850 along with his enslaved parents, Charity and Domingo "Mingo" Wiggins, to a Columbus, Georgia lawyer, General James Neil Bethune. Although blind and seemingly mentally handicapped, he was able to play the piano flawlessly by ear - reproducing the most complicated pieces after only one hearing. In 1859, he went out on the road as a touring musical sensation, and in 1860 he played for President James Buchanan at the White House. He later went on a tour of the South, raising money for the Confederacy during the Civil War. He also wrote over 100 compositions, some of which can be heard on the CD "John Davis Plays Blind Tom." He experienced a major stroke in April 1908, and died the following June, aged 59.
Bio by: Joe Fodor
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Thomas Greene Wiggins
(Blind Tom)
Renowned pianist and composer who performed in the White House before President James Buchanan
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