Morrison Foster

Morrison Foster was born on June 10, 1823, and died on May 14, 1904. He was the elder brother of Stephen Foster, a noted composer and lyricist of early American music. Morrison served as a business agent for Stephen Foster and was responsible for managing his brother's estate following Stephen's death at the age of 37. In this capacity, he acted as an intermediary between music publishers and Stephen Foster's immediate family, including his wife and daughter. Records indicate that Morrison corresponded with publishers and handled the receipt of royalties on behalf of his brother's heirs.

Morrison Foster authored the first biography of Stephen Foster. His daughter, Evelyn Foster Morneweck, later wrote a biography titled "Chronicles of Stephen Foster's Family," which focused on their family history.

In his biography of Stephen Foster, Morrison presented a particular perspective on his brother’s life. He portrayed Stephen as a dreamer, a naturally gifted musician, and regarded him as a genius songwriter. He also depicted Stephen as a devoted son to their parents. However, Morrison’s account described Stephen as being careless with finances, a characterization that later biographies have challenged, offering differing perspectives based on primary sources and other historical accounts.

Morrison Foster was involved in civic activities, notably serving as Chairman of the Allegheny County Centennial Committee in 1887.

Archival materials authored by Morrison Foster are preserved at the Archives Service Center, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh. These documents are available in digital format in high resolution and are accessible online to the public. Accessing these archives does not require a subscription, and physical visits for research purposes can be scheduled to examine the materials directly.