Minstrel Performer, Composer. He is credited for composing the tune "Dixie," which became an anthem of pride for the Old South. During the American Civil War, General George Pickett had the tune played at the Confederate charge at Gettysburg. Born of Irish ancestry, he learned popular tunes from his mother. He became an apprentice printer before enlisting in the United States Army when he was thirteen as a fifer and drummer. In order to join the military, he lied about his age, claiming he was actually seventeen. By 1862, he published his own "Fifer's and Drummer's Guide". Three years later after his discharge, he joined the Spalding and Rogers circus in Cincinnati and toured until 1842 as a banjoist and singer. He organized the Virginia Minstrels with three others whose first appearance was in New York City in 1843. Although the use of blackface had been in vogue for ten years, his group was the first to utilize blackface among the entire band. Their performances were generally considered to be the first true minstrel show. Emmett and Bryant's Minstrels first performed his song "Dixie" on April 4, 1859 at another New York show. The show immediately became popular especially in the South. Used as a rally song against President Abraham Lincoln's election, Emmett was not pleased that this song was used as an anthem by the South during the American Civil War. According to his Songwriters Hall of Fame biography, "Dixie" was played at the request of President Lincoln in the White House at the end of the American Civil War, in hope of reunification of the United States. Another composer, William S. Hayes, claimed credit for "Dixie" and in the 19th century, sued in court for the credit, but as early as 1916 no proof has been offered as solid evidence for him or any other composer as the author. Emmett retired in 1888. Over his lifetime, he published at least thirty songs, primarily banjo tunes. Other popular songs of his are "Jimmy Crack Corn" and "Turkey in the Straw". Another twenty-five tunes are still in manuscript form at the Ohio Historical Society. Beginning in 1893, he was awarded a weekly allowance from the Actors Fund of America, since he never capitalized from "Dixie" as he sold the rights to the song for $500. Paramount Pictures released a film in 1943 about Emmett's life, with Bing Crosby in the starring role. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.