Baritone, composer, arranger; born in Erie, Pa. He learned African-American songs from his maternal grandfather, born a slave, and his voice gained him entry to the National Conservatory of Music in New York (1892--96). Its director was then Anton Dvorhaák, who both encouraged Burleigh and learned about the folk music he would use in his own works. He was soloist at St. George's Church in New York City (1894--1946) and sang occasionally at the city's Temple Emanu-El; he also concertized in America and Europe. From 1911 to 1949, he was a music editor at G. Ricordi & Company. He composed many songs and ballads but made his greatest mark through his arrangements of black spirituals such as "Deep River" (1916).