Burlin, Natalie Curtis

Burlin, Natalie Curtis

(bûr`lĭn, bərlĭn`), 1875–1921, American writer and musician, b. New York City, studied music in France and Germany. She was one of the leading transcribers of the indigenous music of America and Africa, and it was through her efforts that Native American music was encouraged, rather than forbidden by law, in government schools. She visited the Navajo, Zuñi, Hopi, and other Native American groups, recording words and music with fidelity. Songs of African tribes and African Americans are also included in her works—Songs of Ancient America (1905), The Indians' Book (1907), Hampton Series Negro Folk-Songs (4 vol., 1918–19), and Songs and Tales from the Dark Continent (1920).