Ben Edwards (c. 1884 – June 17, 1954) was an American

music publisher A music publisher is a type of publisher that specializes in distributing music. Music publishers originally published sheet music. When copyright became legally protected, music publishers started to play a role in the management of the intellect ...

and long-time

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

talent agent A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, broadcast journalists, film directors, musicians, models, professional athletes, screenwriters, writers, and other professionals in various entertainment or sport ...

of German birth.

Life and career

Born Benjamin Schmelowsky in Posen, Germany, Ben Edwards was the brother of songwriters Leo Edwards and Gus Edwards, and vaudeville songstress Dorothea Edwards. In 1891 he traveled to the United States with his family on the steamship ''Spaarndam'', arriving at the Port of New York on 29 July 1891. The family settled in the

Williamsburg Williamsburg may refer to: Places *Colonial Williamsburg, a living-history museum and private foundation in Virginia *Williamsburg, Brooklyn, neighborhood in New York City *Williamsburg, former name of Kernville (former town), California *Williams ...

neighborhood of

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

. Ben Edwards served as his older brother Gus's agent and publisher; managing the Gus Edwards Music Company for fourteen years and booking his brother for vaudeville performances. He expanded into managing the careers of other top vaudeville acts in addition to booking gigs for his other siblings; becoming one of the top vaudeville bookers of the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. Edwards died in New York City at the

Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital New York Medical College (NYMC or New York Med) is a private medical school in Valhalla, New York. Founded in 1860, it is a member of the Touro College and University System. NYMC offers advanced degrees through its three schools: the School o ...

in 1954 at the age of 70. He was married to Ethel Edwards. Their daughter was the singer and songwriter Joan Edwards.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Ben 1880s births 1954 deaths American music publishers (people) American talent agents German emigrants to the United States