Jump to content

William Studwell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from William Emmett Studwell)
William Emmett Studwell
Born18 March 1936
DiedAugust 2, 2010
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Connecticut, Catholic University of America
OccupationLibrarian
Known forLibrary of Congress subject headings, Christmas Carols, and College Fight Songs
SpouseAnn Marie Stroia Studwell
ChildrenLaura Ann

William Emmett Studwell (18 March 1936 – 2 August 2010) was an American librarian who became known for his knowledge of carols.[1]

Biography

[edit]

William Studwell was born in Stamford, Connecticut and he studied history at the University of Connecticut.

Fight songs

[edit]

The University of Notre Dame song is one of the most recognizable collegiate fight songs in the United States. Studwell ranked the song first, and said it was "more borrowed, more famous and, frankly, you just hear it more."[2]

Christmas carols

[edit]

Studwell had started to choose a carol for each year starting in 1986 when he chose the Ukrainian Carol of the Bells.[3] Studwell took an academic interest in carols which he had spent over 6,000 hours in study. Before Christmas each year he would announce the new carol and he would be invited to interviews with the media where he was quizzed on his choice.

Studwell died in Bloomington Hospital in 2010. The day before he died he dictated a letter to his daughter which recorded his selection of a carol for 2010. Studwell fittingly chose We Wish You a Merry Christmas which is "frequently the final piece in carol performances sessions".[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "William Emmett Studwell". hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  2. ^ "Irish fight song deemed better than M's 'Victors'". The Michigan Daily News. September 11, 2003. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  3. ^ a b "William Studwell's Christmas Carols of the Year series". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 22 December 2010.