Lind, Jenny

Jenny (1820-1887), a Swedish singer. She was born at Stockholm and died in England. She was educated in the Stockholm Conservatory of Music, and after obtaining some reputation, she studied and sang in Paris, Berlin, Dresden, Leipsic, and Vienna. In 1847 she made a tour of England with remarkable success. In 1850 P. T. Barnum, the American showman, brought her to New York under contract to sing for 150 nights at $1,000 an evening, and expenses for herself and troupe. Barnum took in over $700,000. The excitement rose to such a pitch that the first ticket sold in Providence, Rhode Island, was put up at auction and was bid in at $760. This amount was paid by a wealthy man who was willing to spend that sum for the advertising it gave him. In 1852 Miss Lind married Otto Goldschmidt of Boston, and ceased to accept engagements, though giving her money and time freely for worthy causes. She made her home finally in the vicinity of London. In 1894 a bust was unveiled in her honor in Westminster Abbey. Jenny Lind possessed one of the sweetest voices the world has ever heard.