Ledbetter, Huddie (1888–1949) US composer and blues singer, better known as Leadbelly. Folklorist John A. Lomax discovered him in prison and used his songs in the book Negro Folk Songs as Sung by Lead Belly (1936). He is known as the composer of many classic blues songs including “Goodnight Irene”, “The Midnight Special”, and “Rock Island Line”.
Source: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-LedbetterHuddie.html
