The story of his cavalcade is of the man who could well fit the title of America's ballad maker. He was Stephen Foster, and he gave America many of the songs loved best. In the eyes of those who lived in his contemporary, Stephen Foster died a failure, but in the hearts of those who have lived since, he has been as meaningful as the sun, as heartening as the full mellow moon. Stephen Foster, was the man who taught America to sing.