About H. C. Speir
Lived 1895 – 1972 (aged 76). H. C. Speir was an American artist and record producer.
Henry Columbus Speir (October 6, 1895 – April 22, 1972) was an American "talent broker" and record store owner from Jackson, Mississippi. He was responsible for launching the recording careers of most of the greatest Mississippi blues musicians in the 1920s and 1930s. According to blues researcher Gayle Dean Wardlow, "Speir was the godfather of Delta Blues" and was "a musical visionary [without whom] Mississippi's greatest natural resource might have gone untapped." A historical marker commemorates his life and work.
Career
Born in Prospect, Mississippi, Ishman Bracey, Tommy Johnson, Charlie Patton, Son House, Skip James,
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in H. C. Speir's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped H. C. Speir's
Frequently asked questions
Who was H. C. Speir?
American musician (1895–1972)
When was H. C. Speir born?
H. C. Speir was born on 6 October 1895 in Mississippi.
When did H. C. Speir die?
H. C. Speir died on 22 April 1972 in Jackson.
What was H. C. Speir's occupation?
H. C. Speir was an artist and record producer.
What nationality was H. C. Speir?
H. C. Speir was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). H. C. Speir. https://biography.guide/h-c-speir/
MLA: "H. C. Speir." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/h-c-speir/.
Chicago: "H. C. Speir." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/h-c-speir/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:10 UTC