Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/67

ALBANI.ALCOTT. work, and in 1860 he returned home and the same year was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, afterwards known in the literary world as Elizabeth Akers Allen. He died in Philadelphia, May, 1861. ALBANI, Marie Emma LaJeunesse, singer, was born at Chambly, Lower Canada, Sept. 18, 1851. Her parents were French-Canadians. She manifested unusual talent at a very early age, and it was encouraged by her father, who was a skilled musician. When only twelve years old she was awarded a gold medal for musical composition from the Montreal convent at which she received her education. From Montreal her father removed to Albany, N. Y., taking with him his now motherless daughter. He was unable to give her the training which her very fine voice deserved, but she obtained a place in the cathedral choir, where her singing attracted much attention, as it did in concerts, in which she not only sang but played on both the piano and harp. With the proceeds of a concert given for her benefit she was sent to Europe, where she studied in Paris with Duprez, being enabled to do so through the generosity of Baroness Lafitte. Afterwards she went to Italy, where she was taught by Lamperti. It was by the influence of the latter that she made her debut in Messina in 1870 as Amina. This was the starting point of her great success. She adopted the name Albani at her debut, thus honoring the city where her musical talent was first encouraged. She sang at Malta and Florence, successfully producing "Mignon," which had been a failure in four theatres in Italy. She then went to London, where she appeared in the royal Italian opera, thence to St. Petersburg and Paris, when she visited the United States, where in 1874-'75 she sang under Strakosch in opera. She afterward returned to Europe, where her success was phenomenal. She was married in 1878 to Ernest Gye, manager of the royal Italian opera in London. In 1882 she sang the soprano part of Gounod's "Redemption" before the composer, and he was prompted to write expressly for her "Mors et Vita," in which she appeared in 1885. Lamperti called her "the most accomplished musician and the most finished singer" that ever left his studio. She visited America again in 1883, but returned to London, where she made her home. ALBRIGHT, Jacob, bishop, was born in Pottstown, Pa., May, 1, 1759. His father, Jacob Albright, was a native of Germany, and by occupation a tile burner. The son was brought up to this business. In 1790 he became an exhorter, and soon after he entered the Methodist ministry, working among the Germans and making many converts. In 1800 he founded a separate church organization, known as the "Evangelical Association," and he was made the first presiding elder and in 1807 the first bishop. The sect is local and popularly known as "Albrights." Bishop Albright was greatly respected by the wide circle among whom he ministered. He died in 1808. ALCORN, James Lusk, senator, was born near Golconda, Ill., Nov. 4, 1816. He was graduated from Cumberland college, Kentucky, taking up his residence in that state, and in 1843 he served one term in the state legislature. In 1844 he went to Mississippi to practice law, and between the years 1846 and 1865 he represented his district in the state legislature for sixteen years, serving in both branches. In 1852 he was an elector on the national Whig electoral ticket, and in 1857 was nominated for governor by the Whigs, but declined. In 1858 he was an unsuccessful candidate for representative in Congress. The levee system was founded by him, and he was chosen president of the levee board. At the breaking out of the civil war he was appointed by the State Secession convention brigadier-general, but when his brigade entered the Confederate army, President Davis refused to commission him, on account of political differences. He was elected United States senator in 1865, but did not take his seat, as Mississippi was under provisional government and not allowed congressional representation. In 1869 he was elected governor by the republicans, but resigned in 1871, having been elected to the U. S. senate, where he remained until 1877, when he was succeeded by L. Q. C. Lamar. In 1873 he was the unsuccessful candidate for governor. In 1890 he served as a member of the State constitutional convention. He died at Eagle Nest, Miss., Dec. 20, 1894. ALCOTT, Amos Bronson, educator, was born at Wolcott, Conn., Nov. 29, 1799. He began his education in the "Cross-roads school house" near his humble home. Hungry for knowledge, he visited on Saturday afternoons the farmhouses for miles around to read the few books he might find there. In 1813 he went to Cheshire as errand boy to his uncle, and had opportunity to attend the district school, which he afterwards, as its teacher, made famous. From 1818 to 1823 he was employed as a canvasser in the Southern states; in 1823 he started an infant school. He gained quite a reputation by discarding text-books and teaching by conversation. The school attracted so much attention that in 1828 he started another in Boston, where he met with the opposition of the press, and his methods were held up to ridicule. This discouraged him and he gave up his school. But as has been well said, "He achieved what was probably his greatest success in life by marrying, in 1830, Miss Abby May." All reports concur in extolling her patience, endurance, and placid