Nick Hoffer, age 16, of Nogales, Ariz., for his question:

WHO WAS THE SWEDISH NIGHTINGALE?

The famous American showman named P.T. Barnum had an outstanding Swedish soprano singer under contract over 100 years ago. Called the Swedish Nightingale during her tour of the United States from 1845 to 1852, her real name was Jenny Lines.

Lind was born in Stockholm and trained to be a singer at the Stockholm Conservatory of Music in her hometown. She made her debut in 1838 at the age of 18 in Stockholm's Court Theater and was an immediate success.

For 12 years Lind toured her homeland and all of Europe. She won great cheers following all of her concerts.

While on her American tour, which marked the very peak of her career, she married a composer named Otto Golaschmidt. She then settled in London and became a British citizen.

She died in 1887 at the age of 67.