Lawrence Wright

Frederick Lawrence Wright (15 February 1888 – 19 May 1964) was a British songwriter, music publisher, and the founder of the music journal Melody Maker. He used the pseudonyms Horatio Nicholls and Everett Lynton for his songwriting activities.

In 1911 Wright moved to London, hired a basement in Denmark Street from which to sell his music, and set up the Lawrence Wright Music Company. He was one of the first music publishers to set up business in the street, which in time became known as London's Tin Pan Alley. Wright continued to write songs as Horatio Nicholls, often together with lyricist Worton David. In 1914 they published "Are We Downhearted? No!", which became a popular marching song in the First World War, and in 1919 they collaborated on "That Old-Fashioned Mother of Mine". The song eventually sold three million copies as sheet music, and became the signature song of Talbot O'Farrell, who recorded it in 1920. it continued in publication until 2000.

He is credited with co-writing over 500 songs, though "many songs likely bear his name as a condition of acceptance for publication". His most successful songs included "Shepherd of the Hills" and "Among My Souvenirs", both written with the American composer Edgar Leslie; the latter song was recorded successfully by Paul Whiteman, Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Sinatra, Connie Francis, and Marty Robbins, among many others. In 1930 he composed "Amy, Wonderful Amy", a tribute to aviator Amy Johnson with lyrics by Joseph Gilbert. Wright's publishing company also obtained the rights to the compositions of American musicians including Hoagy Carmichael, Fats Waller and Duke Ellington.

He died, aged 76, in Blackpool's Victoria Hospital in 1964, a week after suffering a heavy fall. After his death, his music publishing company was sold to Northern Songs.