James Monroe Deems

James Monroe Deems (1818–1901) was an American composer and music educator from Baltimore, Maryland, as well as a distinguished Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He served as lieutenant colonel of the 1st Maryland Cavalry and was brevetted as a brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers.

Deems is remembered for his composition, Nebuchadnezzar, which was the first American oratorio.