Note Type
Historical NoteNote
Born Eleanor Hankins, she was professionally known as "Hank Fort". She composed more than 400 songs. One of her last songs, "Look With Pride on Our Flag", was dedicated to President Richard Nixon and was featured during his inaugural celebration. Her most popular songs were "Put Your Shoes On Lucy", "I Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded", "The Boardwalk", and "Cherry Blossom Spring" which was played at the 1972 Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. She appeared on television on such programs as the Arthur Godfrey and Robert Q. Lewis shows. She performed at many noted nightclubs, including the Copa and was featured in movies and television commercials. Born to famous parents, her father was the illustrious artist Cornelius Hankins and her mother was the noted writer/artist Maude McGehee Hankins. At her funeral Senators John L. McClellan and Barry Goldwater were among the pallbearers. Aside from her professional career in music, she also taught at and wrote for the Peabody Demonstration School.