Charles Jerome Hopkins was born in Burlington on this day in 1836. He would become a musician and was entirely self-taught.

Hopkins was an organist, composer and teacher. He composed two operas, a symphony and more than 700 other works, but little was ever published.

Hopkins was well known among his peers, but became more infamous than famous. He founded the American Music Association to promote American music, which, more often than not, translated into his music. Hopkins fiery disposition and sarcastic wit were quite amusing, as long as they were directed at someone else.

Image courtesy the Vermont Historical Society.

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