A Tribute to Paul Hume (1915 – 2001): American Man of Music

Stephen Richard Kerbs Exhibit Area

This exhibit honors Paul Hume (1915-2001), a member of the Georgetown University community who made important contributions to the study and performance of music in America. His life and works offer a musical vision of America. A Chicago native, Hume pursued a wide-ranging musical career. Over a lifetime of achievement, he served in a number of roles, including music critic for the Washington Post, program host for Washington's classical music station WGMS, Georgetown University professor of music history (1950-1977), and Yale University professor of music history. Hume directed the Georgetown University Glee Club for 25 years.

The items selected for this exhibit provide a glimpse of some moments and memories from Hume's long and distinguished career. Photos and sheet music related to Georgetown University are displayed. A few of Hume's publications are exhibited. Materials relating to musical figures Hume knew or wrote about are also present. Of course, coverage is given to Hume's famous 1950 review of a singing performance by Margaret Truman, the daughter of President Harry S. Truman.

The materials for this exhibit are drawn mainly from the Paul Hume Papers, an extensive manuscript collection preserved and available for research use in the Booth Family Center for Special Collections. Several books by Hume are available in the main stacks of Georgetown University's Lauinger Library.