Maude Nugent

[3][4] In 1896, she composed and wrote the lyrics to "Sweet Rosie O'Grady", which became one of the most popular waltz standards of the time.

The song was initially rejected when she tried to sell it to Tin Pan Alley publisher Joseph W. Stern & Co. Stern's partner Edward Marks recounted that they changed their minds as soon as she left their office to market it elsewhere, and he chased her down the street to make an offer.

Nugent continued to compose songs for a number of years, but none approached the success of "Rosie O'Grady".

[1] Nugent retired from performing when she was 28 in order to raise a family;[1] however, she continued to write music.

In the 1940s and 1950s, "Gay Nineties" revues came into vogue and Nugent began to perform again on television, including The Ed Sullivan Show.