This 1897 profile of composer John Philip Sousa (1854 – 1932) was written shortly after his triumphal return from Queen Victoria's Jubilee, where he was feted like a native son for all his glorious march compositions - particularly "The Washington Post March", which was performed while her household infantry passed in review:
"There is probably no composer in the world with a popularity equal to that of Mr. Sousa. Tho he sold his 'Washington Post' march outright for $35.00, his 'Liberty Bell' march is said to have brought him $35,000...At the age of twenty-six Mr. Sousa became the leader of the United States Marine Corps Band. In the twelve years of his leadership,he developed this unimportant organization into one of the best military bands in the world."
