Like many of the well-known musicians of to-day, Theodore Thomas not
only inherited his talents from his father, but was a pupil of the
latter. Mr. Thomas shares with Damrosch and some other conductors the
credit of making music, not only familiar to, but popular with, the
masses in this country. He was born at Esens, Hanover, Germany, October
11, 1835, and at the age of ten made his first appearance in public as
a violinist. Shortly after that he came to the United States, and for
a number of years gave performances in New York. After a successful
tour in the south, which extended over two years, he returned to New
York and appeared in concerts and opera, first as violinist and later
as orchestra conductor. In connection with other musicians he organized
an annual series of chamber concerts. In 1867 he founded the Thomas
orchestra and maintained it until 1888. He also acted as conductor for
the Brooklyn and New York Philharmonic societies. In 1891 he moved to
Chicago, and since then has been conductor of the Chicago orchestra. He
is director of the Cincinnati college of music, was musical director of
the Chicago exposition and has held other prominent positions in the
musical world. He has been married twice, his second wife being Rose
Fay, of Chicago.