Oliver Shaw (March 13, 1779 – December 31, 1848), was one of the first American composers.
Shaw was born at Newport, Rhode Island. A childhood accident and later yellow fever caused him to go totally blind. He studied with organist John Berkenhead and later with
Gottlieb Graupner. After studies, he started his musical career in Boston and in Providence where he remained an important musical figure until his death.
One of his students was
Lowell Mason. In 1810, Shaw together with his friends founded Psallonian Society "for the purpose of improving themselves in the knowledge and practice of sacred music and inculcating a more correct taste in the choice and performance of it" based in Providence.
He died at Providence, Rhode Island.