The first professional songwriter in the US was A. Woody Guthrie. B. Bob Dylan. C. Cecil Sharp. D. Stephen Foster.?

The correct answer is D: Stephen Foster. Stephen Foster (1826-1864) is widely regarded as the first professional songwriter in the United States. He composed over 200 songs during his lifetime, including several that became enduringly popular, such as "Oh! Susanna", "Camptown Races", "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Swanee River". Foster's songs captured the spirit of the mid-19th century America and contributed significantly to the development of American popular music.