Walter Donaldson (February 15, 1893 – July 15, 1947)[1] was a prolific American popular songwriter and publishing company founder, composing many hit songs of the 1910s to 1940s, that have become standards and form part of the Great American Songbook.
History
Walter Donaldson was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a piano teacher.[1] While still in school he wrote original music for school productions,[1] and had his first professional songs published in 1915. In 1918, he had his first major hit with "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady".[1]
After serving in the United States Army in World War I, Donaldson was hired as a songwriter by Irving Berlin Music Company.[3] He stayed with Berlin until 1928, producing many hit songs, then in 1928 established his own publishing company.[4] Although Walter Donaldson's company was officially known as "Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble, Inc.", it was printed in fine print alongside Walter Donaldson's name in every publication.
Donaldson frequently worked with lyricist Gus Kahn, after first working together in 1915.[5][4]
Donaldson is primarily known as a composer, rather than as a lyricist, although he wrote words and music for dozens of songs.[1] Among the big hits for which he wrote both words and music were "At Sundown" and "Little White Lies".[1] In his prolific career, he published some 600 original songs.[6]
Walter Donaldson retired in 1943,[3] and died four years later in Santa Monica, California,[3][4] after being ill for a year with kidney problems. He is buried at an unmarked grave at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.
^Holsinger, M. Paul, "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm?" (Song), War and American Popular Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. Edited by M Paul Holsinger, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999, ISBN0313299080, p. 207
Holsinger, M. Paul, "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm?" (Song) in War and American Popular Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. Edited by M Paul Holsinger, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999. ISBN0313299080
