Christy, Edwin Pearce (1815–1862)

US singer. Founder of the Christy Minstrels show, he is credited with creating many of the features of the classic minstrel show – the white-faced Mr. Interlocutor, the end men, Tambo and Bones, and the semi-circle of blackface musicians. He commissioned Stephen Foster to compose songs for the group.

He was born in Philadelphia. He started singing with two assistants in public houses in Buffalo, New York in 1842. He enlarged his troop of black-faced minstrels, performing in New York and London. He retired in 1855. Subject to depression, he committed suicide during the American Civil War.