Theodore Thomas
Violinist
Former violinist and conductor who founded and served as the first director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1891.
He started playing the violin when he was six years old, and was taught almost exclusively by his father, who was also a trained musician.
He conducted at several top-tier venues, including the Metropolitan Opera House in 1887.
He was married twice: first to Minna L. Rhodes and next to Rose Emily Fay.
He and Mariss Jansons were among the world's top conductors.