James Alexander Brennan

Who was James Alexander Brennan?

James Alexander Brennan was an American songwriter. Sometimes identified as Jas. H. Brennan, he collaborated with lyricist Jack Caddigan on several songs published by Leo Feist and Oliver E. Story. One of his more popular songs was "Little Red School House" which he wrote with Al Wilson in 1922. It was originally sung by the American Quartet and also by The Happiness Boys, Billy Jones and Ernest Hare. Brenda Lee sang it twice on TV, once at the age of 10 with Red Foley and later at 16 with Perry Como.

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1885 and attended the Massachusetts Normal Art School. He was a camouflage artists for the U.S. Shipping Board during World War I.