Hank Fort | |
|---|---|
 Hank Fort c. 1957 | |
| Born | Eleanor Louise Middleton Hankins June 19, 1908 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | January 12, 1973 (aged 64) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Mount Olivet Cemetery |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Spouse(s) | Walter A. Fort, m. 1928/1/3 William McAuliffe, m. 1964/2/19 |
| Parent(s) | Cornelius Hankins Maude McGehee |
Hank Fort (née Eleanor Hankins, 1908–1973) was an American singer and songwriter of the mid 20th century from Nashville, Tennessee. She composed over 400 songs, many with a humorous Southern viewpoint, including "Put Your Shoes On, Lucy" (recorded by Petula Clark), and "I Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded" The Andrews Sisters, and "Save Your Confederate Money, Boys, the South Shall Rise Again". Known for her humor and sunny personality, her Washington, D.C. apartment was a gathering place for scores of admirers, many of whom were political figures. These included Sam Rayburn, Lyndon Johnson, Hale Boggs and Liz Carpenter (Lady bird Johnson's press secretary). In 1960, Fort campaigned actively for John F. Kennedy, traveling in the South entertaining with Mrs. Johnson, Ethel Kennedy, Eunice Shriver, and Jean Kennedy Smith. Her composition, "Look With Pride On Our Flag", was played at the second inauguration of Richard Nixon in 1973. Upon her death January 12, 1973, Barry Goldwater delivered the eulogy at her memorial service.