Final answer:
W.C. Handy is known as the 'Father of the Blues' and was influential in popularizing blues music. While W.C. Handy did not invent blues music, which evolved from African-American spiritual.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual known as the 'Father of the Blues' is W.C. Handy. He played an integral role in capturing the spirit of African-American music during his era and transferring it to sheet music, influencing many African-Americans to pursue careers in music. While W.C. Handy did not invent blues music, which evolved from African-American spirituals, his compositions and arrangements helped popularize the form and brought it to wider audiences.