George Cooper

George Cooper (May 14, 1840, New York City – September 26, 1927, New York City) was an American poet remembered chiefly for his song lyrics, many set to music by Stephen Foster, such as "There Are Plenty of Fish in the Sea" and "For the Dear Old Flag I Die!" Cooper fought as a private in the Twenty-Second New York Infantry during the Civil War and studied for the bar at Chester A. Arthur's office but quit law to focus on writing poetry and music. He was a friend of Tony Pastor and wrote songs for Lillian Russell, as well as serving as an honorary member of the American Society of Authors and Composers. He wrote over 200 songs, among them "Sweet Genevieve", "Beautiful Isle of the Sea", and "Mother, Kiss Me in My Dreams", and poems including "The Wind and the Leaves", "October's Party", and "Only One Mother".