Papers of George Firth relating to his published work on Donald Tovey

This material is held atEdinburgh University Library Heritage Collections

Scope and Content

The collection is composed of a typed draft, other drafts, a spiral bound copy of Donald Francis Tovey a portrait of a great man and a loose-leaf copy. There is also correspondence, transcriptions and copies of correspondence, scripts, notes, talks, programmes, photographs, and ephemera.

Administrative / Biographical History

Dr. George Firth was born on 27 February 1901. He was, successively, a scientist, professional singer, teacher, choral and orchestral conductor, lecturer, administrator and author. Access to Tovey's Essays in musical analysis encouraged him to leave his freelance singing career and study for a B.Mus. degree and then the degree of D.Mus.

During army service Firth rose to the rank of Major and became Head of the Arts Department at Newbattle Abbey near Edinburgh. In 1955, Firth was awarded the O.B.E. for services to music in Scotland.

Dr. George Firth died on 22 May 1983.

Access Information

Open to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance of visit.

Acquisition Information

Material acquired by donation. Accession no: E2013.40.

Archivist's Note

Catalogued by Graeme D. Eddie 28 March 2014