Thomas Moore was the son of a shoemaker, born in Dublin May 28, 1779. He was a poet, satirist, composer and musician of note. His ten volume work IrishMelodies (1807-34) consisted of 130 poems set to music composed by Moore and Sir John Stevenson. Much of the music was based on older Irish airs. Irish Melodies was so popular that Moore earned 500 pounds annually for more than 25 years for its publication. Although noted for his music, his poetry …showed first 75 words of 701 total…

…showed last 75 words of 701 total…evangelist and on the literary absurdities of the day. Moore remained a popular writer for the rest of his life. He was awarded a Civil List pension in1850. Moore died on February 25, 1852. His work endured. Irish Melodies was translated into every European language, including Hungarian, Polish and Russian. More than a million copies of The Last Rose of Summer were sold in the United State alone. Thomas Moore's work popularized Irish music throughout the world.