William Henry Fry

William Henry Fry (August 10, 1813 – December 21, 1864) was an American composer, music critic, and journalist. Fry was the first known person born in the United States to write for a large symphony orchestra, and the first to compose a publicly performed opera. He was also the first music critic for a major American newspaper, and he was the first known person to insist that his fellow countrymen support American-made music.

Read more about this composer on Wikipedia.