Samuel Walter Foss, better known as Sam Walter, was a poet, librarian, and anthologist who is best known for his work in preserving and promoting traditional American folk music. Born in 1858 in New Hampshire, Foss grew up in a household that valued literature and the arts, and he developed a love of poetry and music at a young age.
Foss attended Dartmouth College, where he studied literature and wrote poetry. After graduation, he worked as a librarian in several different locations, including Boston and New York City. In the 1890s, Foss began to focus on collecting and preserving traditional American folk songs, which he saw as an important part of the country's cultural heritage.
Foss traveled throughout the United States, collecting folk songs and interviewing the people who sang them. He wrote extensively about the history and cultural significance of folk music, and he published several books and anthologies of folk songs, including "Songs of the Old Homestead" and "Songs of the New England Coast."
Foss was a passionate advocate for preserving and promoting traditional American folk music, and he believed that it was an important part of the country's cultural identity. He worked tirelessly to collect and preserve these songs, and his efforts helped to bring traditional folk music to a wider audience.
In addition to his work with folk music, Foss was also a well-known poet, and he published several collections of poetry during his lifetime. His work was characterized by its simplicity and clarity, and he was known for his ability to capture the beauty and simplicity of everyday life.
Overall, Sam Walter was a dedicated and influential figure in the world of American folk music and poetry. His contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional folk music helped to ensure that this important aspect of American culture would not be lost.
