Dates

• Existence: May 13, 1874 - September 15, 1956

Biography

Henry Clough-Leighter was born May 13, 1874 in Washington, D.C., to James Henry and Sarah Kate Leighter. At the age of five, Clough-Leighter’s mother, Sarah, became one of the many musical instructors in his life. She began giving her son piano lessons in 1879. In 1883-1886, he was the solo chorister at St. John’s Church in Washington. In 1887, he commenced his organ instruction under Dr. George Walter. For the period of 1888-1901, he became the organist and choirmaster for several institutions, such as St. Michael and All Angels in Washington, Church of the Incarnation in Washington, Epiphany Chapel in Washington, Epiphany Parish in Washington, Jewish Synagogue in Providence, R.I., and Grace Church in Providence, R.I. From 1887-1889, he attended Columbia University in Washington. He traveled for a period to Toronto, Canada in pursuit of his musical education. He attended Trinity University and studied under several individuals, such as Dr. Edward Kimball, Dr. George Walter, Henry Xander, and Dr. J Humphrey Anger, who taught him harmony, counterpoint, and composition.

He relocated to Boston, where he held several positions. In 1900-1901, Clough-Leighter, who was twenty-six at the time, was a music theory instructor at the Howe School of Music. He left his position he held at the school in order to become the associate editor at Oliver Ditson Co., which he held for a period of eight years. In 1908, he became the technical editor for the Boston Music Co.

As a musical composer, he composed several works during his lifetime. He composed Five Cantatas for voices, The Day of Beauty, Lasca, Recessional, The Christ of the Andes, My Lover, he comes on the skee, My Lady Chlo’, and among other notable works.

Henry Clough-Leighter died September 15, 1956, in Wollaston, Massachusetts.

Source: Clough-Leighter, Henry. Biographical Information. Boston: Henry Clough-Leighter, 1919. See: Box2, F20

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