Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield

Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield

Typically, Black Americans have reached their most noted fame through their

talents in music and sports; although, we have been taught the impact of individuals like

Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the

history of America. Movies have been produced that reinforce our knowledge of the

history of blacks: "Roots" gave us an in-depth look into slavery; "Once Upon a Time

When We Were Colored People" gave us a deeper understanding of the effects of

segregation; and "Malcolm X" showed us hate between races. But even with America's

attempts to educate its people and give light to those African-Americans who have greatly

contributed to the shaping of our nation, many people are still unaware of the many

accomplishments which have been credited to Black Americans. Elizabeth Taylor-

Greenfield is one of these African-American's who has made several accomplishments

that many may be unaware of.

The gifted, African-American singer, whose exceptional voice made her a popular

performer in Great Britain, was , Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield(1817-1876). She was

probably born in 1817 as a slave in Natchez, Mississippi. As a child Elizabeth

accompanied her mistress to Philadelphia. When her mistress joined the Society of

Friends and freed her slaves Elizabeth chose to stay with her and took her last name. Mrs.

Greenfield encouraged Elizabeth with her musical talents. She continued to study music

after the death of Mrs. Greenfield in 1845. In 1851 Elizabeth gave her first public concert

in New York. She made a tour of several cities from Boston to Chicago. A testimonial

concert in Buffalo raised enough funds to finance Elizabeth's trip to Europe for additional

training. She was aided by Lord Shaftesbury and Harriet Beecher Stowe and by the

Duchess of Sutherland, who became her patroness. She toured cities in the East and

Midwest, then traveled to England in 1854 where her performances were praised in the

London press and where she sang at Buckingham Palace. There, she sang for Queen

Victoria.

Not only a great singer, she taught herself how to play the guitar and the harp, and

was very skilled and adept at them both. Her 27-note range was hailed as astonishing.

Greenfield's voice--full, resonant, with remarkable range--was all the more striking for

her plain appearance and the charm of her imperfect training. She was often known as

"the Black Swan" by her fans. She gained her nickname for her moving and emotional

performances during the era just before the Civil War. But despite her popularity, she