William H. Walter and George W. Walter Papers, 1844-1912; 1957-1967

Summary Information

Abstract

William H. Walter and his son, George W. Walter were mid to late 19th Century composers of devotional music that was used primarily in the Episcopal or Anglican faith. This collection primarily contains sheet music of hymns, canticles, and other forms of service music.

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1558
Bib ID:
6915590 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Walter, William H. (William Henry), 1825-1893
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
2 linear feet (4 document boxes)
Language(s):
Material is primarily in English with some Latin and Italian.
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Summary

The collection primarily contains music manuscripts and music related publications. It also contains a bibliography and genealogical information compiled by David Palmer (grandson of George W. Walter) pertaining to James Cheetham (grandfather of William H. Walter), an early 19th Century author, journalist and political activist.

  • Series I: William H. Walter, 1844-1903

    This series contains music manuscripts, publications, business accounts and other papers created by William H. Walter.

  • Series II. George W. Walter, 1865-1913

    This series contains music manuscripts, publications and other papers created by George W. Walter.

  • Series III: David Palmer and James Cheetham, 1957-1967

    This series contains a subject bibliography about James Cheetham (grandfather of William H. Walter), an early 19th Century author, journalist and political activist. It also contains genealogical information on the Walter and Cheetham families, excerpts from books by James Cheetham, correspondence, and newspaper clippings as well as a single piece of music arranged by David Palmer.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 3 series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); William H. Walter and George W. Walter Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Selected Related Material-- at Columbia

Walter, W.H. (1860). A manual of church music: containing a choice selection of chants and metrical tunes, designed for use in public and private worship

Walter, W.H. (1857). Selections of psalms, together with the canticles, occasional anthems, and proper psalms on certain days; pointed for chanting, with chants

Walter, W.H. (1886). Mass in C, or Communion service, with Latin and English words.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Walter Family. Method of acquisition--Gift.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed Ellen Reece, Pratt 2011 03/--/2011.

Finding aid written Ellen Reece, Pratt 2011 03/--/2011.

Revision Description

2011-05-10 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical / Historical

William H. Walter was a composer, writer and musician born in Newark, NJ 1825 July 1 to James Hahn Walter and Mary Cheetham, the daughter of journalist, author and British radical, James Cheetham. William H. Walter served as organist and music director to St. John's Chapel and St. Paul's Church, in succession, from 1847-1856. In 1856 Walter was hired as the music director and organist for Trinity Church and Trinity Chapel where he remained until his retirement in 1869. Walter received an honorary doctorate in music from Columbia University in 1865. The majority of William H. Walter's work is composed of hymns, canticles and other forms of service music. William H. Walter died in 1893.

George W. Walter was a composer and musician born in New York City, NY 1851 December 16 to William H. Walter and Elizabeth Wooley Ham. George W. Walter moved to Washington D.C. in 1869 and there he received a doctorate in music from Columbian University. He went on to serve as the music director and temple organist for Ascension Church in Washington, D.C. The majority of George W. Walter's work is composed of hymns, canticles and other forms of service music. George W. Walter died in 1911.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Scorebooks CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Scores (documents for music) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Sheet music CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Cheetham, James, 1772-1810 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Palmer, David C CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Walter, George William, 1851-1911 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Walter, William H (William Henry), 1808-1846 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Canticles CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Communion service music CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Composers CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Divine office (Music) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Evening service music CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Morning service music CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Offertories (Music) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Sacred vocal music CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID