McCormack, John

McCormack, John,

1884–1945, Irish-American tenor, b. Athlone, Ireland. He made his debut in London in 1907. In 1909, Oscar Hammerstein brought him to the United States. After his debut in New York City he sang with the Boston and Chicago opera companies but after 1914 sang principally in concert and for phonograph records. He was widely beloved for the singing of simple sentimental songs. He became a U.S. citizen in 1917. In 1938 he retired.

McCormack, John

(1884–1945) tenor; born in Athlone, Ireland. With no formal training, McCormack won a gold medal at the 1902 National Irish Festival; following studies and recitals he made his operatic debut in London in 1907, with instant success. His American debut came two years later in New York; he became a favorite around the U.S.A., after 1914 primarily as a concert singer specializing in sentimental Irish songs. He became an American citizen in 1919.

McCormack, John (William)

(1891–1980) U.S. representative; born in Boston, Mass. A public school graduate who studied law privately, he became a lawyer in 1913 and a power in Democratic politics after he returned from the army in 1918; he served in both the Massachusetts House and Senate (1920–26) before going mid-term to the U.S. House of Representatives (1928–71). A skilled tactician, he was majority leader and minority whip before becoming Speaker of the House (1961–69), in which positions he proved a loyal supporter of presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.