John Rox

John Rox
Born
John Arthur Barber

(1902-07-21)July 21, 1902
DiedAugust 5, 1957(1957-08-05) (aged 55)
Other namesJohn Jefferson Herring
Occupation(s)Composer and lyricist
SpouseAlice Pearce

John Jefferson Rox (July 21, 1902 – August 5, 1957) was an American composer and lyricist.

He wrote music for Broadway shows and the recording industry. His song "It's a Big Wide Wonderful World" (1939) was used in the soundtrack of multiple films. His holiday tune "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" (1953) was a popular family-entertainment song, originally sung by ten-year-old Gayla Peevey. Many other artists also covered it.