Root & Cady was a Chicago-based music publishing firm, founded in 1858. It became the most successful music publisher of the American Civil War and published many of the most popular songs during that war.^[1] The firm's founders were Ebenezer Towner Root (1822–1896) and Chauncey Marvin Cady (1824 - 1889).

The company's publishings include The Silver Lute, the first music book printed in Chicago. It was eventually used in the city's public school system.^[1]

Root & Cady dominated Chicago's music publishing industry until the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed $125,000 of the firm's inventory,^[2] leading to its bankruptcy within a year.^[1][3] In 1875, the former members of Root & Cady formed a new firm: The Root & Sons Music Company. The members were (i) George F. Root (1820–1895), (ii) Frederick Woodman Root (1846–1918), George's son, (iii) Ebenezer Towner Root (1822–1896) — George's brother — (iv) William Lewis (1837– ), (v) William A. Root — George's brother — and (vi) Charles C. Curtiss (1847–1928),^[4] who served as manager.^[5]

• Fanny Crosby (1820–1915), songwriter
• William Lewis & Son Co., offshoot of The Root & Sons Music Company

• Cornelius, Steven (2004). Music of the Civil War Era. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-313-32081-0.
• Sanjek, Russell (1988). American Popular Music and Its Business: the first four hundred years. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-504310-3.
• Carder, Polly H. (2008). George F. Root, Civil War Songwriter: A Biography. McFarland & Company. ISBN 9780786483174. OCLC 182656620.
• Root and Cady — Re-Association of the Members of That Famous House, Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago), Vol. IV, Issue 80, pg. 12, June 26, 1875
• Charles C. Curtiss, Manager of the Fine Arts Building, Dies, Presto-Times, April 7, 1928, pg. 11

• The Dena Epstein Root & Cady Research Papers at Newberry Library