Willson, Meredith

Identity area

Type of entity

Person

Authorized form of name

Willson, Meredith

Parallel form(s) of name

Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules

Other form(s) of name

  • Willson, Robert Reiniger Meredith
  • Willson, R. Meredith

Identifiers for corporate bodies

Description area

Dates of existence

1902-05-18 - 1984-06-15

History

Meredith Willson (1902-1984) was born Robert Meredith Willson in Mason City, Iowa. Willson’s first career was as a flautist with the John Philip Sousa Band and the New York Philharmonic. He later pursued a career as conductor and music director in both radio and television. Following a stint in the Army during World War II, he saw success with the production of “The Music Man,” for which he wrote the music, lyrics, and the book. He also wrote the musicals “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” “Here’s Love,” and “1491.” He was married three times, to Elizabeth Wilson (divorce), Ralina “Rini” Zarova (her death), and Rosemary Sullivan (his death).

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Internal structures/genealogy

General context

Relationships area

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Occupations

Composer

Note

Composed symphonies, popular music, and songs for four musicals. Wrote the music, lyrics, and book for "The Music Man."

Conductor

Note

Served as a conductor for bands and orchestras for several radio and television variety shows

Control area

Authority record identifier

LC83042585

Maintained by

Institution identifier

Library of Congress

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Draft

Level of detail

Partial

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Cross, Lucy E. “Meredith Willson.” The Official Masterworks Broadway Site, Sony Music Entertainment, https://masterworksbroadway.com/artist/meredith-willson/.
Who's Who in America: 39th Edition, 1976-1977. Marquis Who's Who, 1977.
Willson, Meredith. But He Doesn’t Know the Territory. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1959.

Maintenance notes

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  • EAC

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