Gertrude Franklin

Gertrude Franklin (September 4, 1858 – April 1, 1913) was an American singer and music educator. Born Virginia H. Beatty, she was better known to the musical world as Gertrude Franklin, a name she took when she first became a professional singer. In private life, she was known as Virginia Beatty Salisbury. For a period of about 30 years, Franklin sang in concert and oratorio in many cities. She had the largest repertoire of any American singer in her day, also the largest collection of arias and orchestra scores for the concert stage. After marriage, she gave up concert work and became one of the most widely- and favorably-known of Boston's vocal teachers.

Early life and education Virginia H. Beatty was born in Baltimore, Maryland, September 4, 1858. She descended from a wealthy and distinguished family. Her father, John Beatty, of Baltimore was the son of James Beatty, an eminent merchant and millionaire of Baltimore, who held positions of great trust under President James Madison. Her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson Beatty, was the daughter of the Rev. William Jackson, a native of England. Among other distinguished ancestors was her great-grandfather, Gunning Bedford Jr., who, for a short time in the Revolutionary War, was aide-de-camp to General George Washington. He represented Delaware in the Continental Congress, 1783 to 1786, and was a prominent member of the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States. Franklin had at least one sibling, a brother, who became a physician of Philadelphia. She received many offers for opera and concert tours in Europe and the U.S., but objected to the fatigue and excitement of travel and did not appear before the public as often as she otherwise could. Being financially independent, she preferred the quiet of home and occasional appearances in important concerts.

In Brookline, Massachusetts, April 8, 1896, she married W. C. G. Salisbury, of Boston, and retired from public life to devote her time to teaching. As an instructor, she was even more successful than as a singer. Her pupils were on the operatic, concert and oratorio stages in Europe and America.

Death The family home was in Philadelphia, but she spent most of her professional life in Boston. Franklin died on April 1, 1913, while in the business office of The Boston Journal.