Oliver Shaw

Oliver Shaw (March 13, 1779 – December 31, 1848 ), was one of the first American composers.

Life and career Shaw was born at Newport, Rhode Island. A childhood accident and later yellow fever caused him to go totally blind. He studied with organist John Berkenhead and later with Gottlieb Graupner. After studies, he started his musical career in Boston and in Providence where he remained an important musical figure until his death.

One of his students was Lowell Mason. In 1810, Shaw together with his friends founded the Psallonian Society "for the purpose of improving themselves in the knowledge and practice of sacred music and inculcating a more correct taste in the choice and performance of it"