Guide to the William B. "Willie" Pape Scrapbooks MSS.3689
Pape, William B. "Willie"
- Publication:
W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama
Mary Harmon Bryant Hall
October 2012
500 Hackberry Lane
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487-0266
205.348.0500
archives@ua.edu
- Creation:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2012-10-09T19:35-0500
- Language Usage:
English
- Description Rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
William B. "WIllie" Pape Scrapbooks
- Unit ID:
MSS.3689
- Repository:
W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama
- Quantity:
1.0 Linear feet (2 scrapbooks)
- Dates:
1862-1875
- Abstract:
Two scrapbooks kept by Willie Pape during his years in England. The first, which is also the larger of the two, contains programs and newspaper clippings of the child musical prodigy and pianist to the Prince and Princess of Wales while the second scrapbook is strictly letters.
- Quantity:
Both scrapbooks are in fairly sad repair. Many of the pages of the books are loose or very brittle. The programs and letters themselves though are in relatively good shape.
Biographical/Historical note
William Barnesmore "Willie" Pape was born on 27 February 1850, son of William O. and Tabitha McBride Pape. Willie's talent for music was discovered at a very early age and in 1854, his father began giving him music lessons. He was so talented that even at the age of thirteen he was able to play many of the most demanding piano sonatas from memory.
Willie and his father traveled to New York in preparation for going to Europe just as the American Civil War erupted. In fact, Alabama seceded from the Union while they were on their way to New York in January 1861. Rather than traveling abroad as planned, they stayed in New York for two years. Willie continued his studies under Sebastian Bach Mills. After brief concert tours to Havana, Cuba, and Canada, Willie and his father finally left for England in 1863.
Willie's first public performance in England on 27 April 1863 was a huge success and eventually led to the patronage of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1864. He spent several more years in England, performing and touring, until returning to the United States in 1875 and resettling in Mobile. He was married twice; first to Ella Anderson (around 1880) who died on 9 August 1889; and then to her sister, Mary Anderson. Ella and Willie had three daughters, Ethel, Ella, and Hazel; Mary and Willie had one son, William Sherwood.
When he left England, Willie gave up the piano and studied medicine. In 1882, he graduated from the Medical College of Mobile with his M.D. and began his practice in Mobile. He was also on the faculty of his alma mater where he was Professor of Physiology and Hygiene. He died on 30 August 1901.
Scope and Contents note
The collection contains two scrapbooks kept by Willie Pape during his years in England. The first, which is also the larger of the two, contains programs and newspaper clippings of the child musical prodigy and pianist to the Prince and Princess of Wales while the second scrapbook is strictly letters. Also, the larger one is mostly in chronological order; the other isn't in any discernable order.
- Access Restrictions:
Conditions Governing Access note
None
- Usage Restrictions:
Conditions Governing Use note
None
- Acquisition Information:
Provenance
gift of William Pape Wood, Sr., 2012
- Preferred Citation:
Preferred Citation note
William B. "Willie" Pape Scrapbooks, W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama
- Processing Information:
Processed by
Martha Bace, 2012
Source(s)
Pape, Willie (Library_of_Congress_Name_Authority_File)
Wood, William Pape, Dr. (local)
Alabama (localbroad)
Music and Performing Arts (localbroad)
Scrapbook of Notices and Programmes Box 3689.001
Scrapbook of Letters Box 3689.002