Dawson, Peter (1882-1961), was an Australian baritone best known for his interpretations of ballads. Dawson was featured on some of the earliest phonograph recordings. Dawson moved to the United Kingdom in 1902. He made his first recordings for Edison-Bell Phonograph Company in 1904. Dawson first appeared in grand opera at Covent Garden, London, in 1909. He eventually retired to Australia and wrote his autobiography, Fifty Years of Song (1951). Dawson was born on Jan. 31, 1882, in Adelaide. He died on Sept. 27, 1961.