1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Emmett, Daniel Decatur

EMMETT, DANIEL DECATUR (1815–1904), American songwriter, was born at Mount Vernon, Ohio. He started the “negro minstrel” performances, which from 1842 onwards became so popular in America and England, and he composed a number of songs which had a great temporary vogue. He is remembered particularly as the writer of the famous Southern war-song “Dixie,” which he composed in 1859.