Langstaff, John, 1920-2005

Born December 24, 1920, in Brooklyn, NY; son of Meredith B. and E. Esther Knox (Boardman) Langstaff. Attended Curtis Institute of Music, 1940-1941, Juilliard School of Music, 1946-49, and Columbia University, 1949-51. Paul Langstaff's hobbies and interests are camping, bee keeping, hiking, morris dancing, modern art, and poetry. He was a writer, and musician. He was the director of music department, Potomac School, Washington, DC, 1953-68, and Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA, 1969-72. He was an instructor at Simmons College, 1970-86, Wheelock College, 1974-79, University of Connecticut, 1977-79, Leslie College, 1978, Boston College, 1979; lecturer for Association of American Colleges. He has given recitals in United States and Europe; has appeared on radio and television programs, including a music series for British Broadcasting Corp. Military service: U.S. Army, Infantry, four years; became first lieutenant; received Purple Heart, Gold Star. He received Caldecott Prize, 1956 for Frog Went A-Courtin ; recognition by National Federation of Musicians for presenting outstanding American music abroad in 1959. Paul Langstaff died from a stroke on December 13th, 2005 in Basel, Switzerland.

Biographical Source: Something About the Author, v. 68 and v. 172

From the guide to the John Langstaff Papers, 1974-1976, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])