John Howard Payne (June 9, 1791 – April 10, 1852) was an American actor, poet, playwright, and author who had nearly two decades of a theatrical career and success in London. He is today most remembered as the creator of “Home! Sweet Home!”, a song he wrote in 1822 that became widely popular in the United States and the English-speaking world. Its popularity was revived during the American Civil War, as troops on both sides embraced it. Payne died in Tunis in 1852 and was buried there in St. George’s Protestant Cemetery. Philanthropist W. W. Corcoran of Washington, D.C., arranged for Payne’s reinterment in his last home city. (He was the founder of the Corcoran Gallery.)

A memorial service marked the reinterment of Payne’s remains at Oak Hill Cemetery in the Georgetown neighborhood. (Corcoran had founded this cemetery, where many Civil War veterans were buried.) The memorial service was held on the 91st anniversary of Payne’s birth and was attended by President Chester A. Arthur, members of his cabinet, the State Department, and the Supreme Court; the Marine Band, and a crowd of 2,000-3,000 that included numerous literary and other prominent people. Organizers arranged for a full choir to sing “Home, Sweet Home.”

(Source: Wikipedia)