• American
• 1822 - 1893
• You might know him for: Jingle Bells

James Pierpont led a colourful life, but apart from penning the Christmas classic Jingle Bells, there is little of note of this composer. There are many stories as to how Jingle Bells was written, yet two things however seem certain:

• Pierpont never made any money from the tune, as it never became a hit during his lifetime
• The tune was originally titled "One Horse Open Sleigh".