(PAPERS, 1870-1946, n.d.)
BIOGRAPHY
Edward Dickinson, born in West Springfield, MA, on October 10, 1853, was the son of Henry and Angeline Durham Dickinson. Little is known of his parents, or whether he had any siblings. He graduated from Amherst College (B.A. 1876; M.A., 1881). Subsequently, he studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and, then under Phillip Spitta (A Bach Scholar) in Berlin. He also lectured at the University of Berlin (1885-86, 1888-89, and 1892-93). Before coming to Oberlin, Ohio, in 1893 he served as organist and Director of Music at Elmira College in Elmira, NY.
As a new "instructor in musical history and piano forte" he set to work immediately to promote and dignify the study of music history and appreciation. Because considerable antipathy existed to having a full time professor in this specialty, he was also required to teach piano. In time, however, he ceased teaching piano, concentrating only on music history; in the process, Dickinson became the first full time professor of history and criticism of music in the United States. Even at Oberlin's Conservatory this difficult task was achieved despite hurdles. There being no standard texts available for classroom use, Dickinson filled the gap by writing several of them: The Education of a Music Lover (1911), Music and Higher Education (1915), and The Spirit of Music, (1925). They were considered the best in the field into the first half of the 20th century. He was known to use the piano almost exclusively in teaching (before records, tapes, etc.), and began a collection of player-piano rolls of the limited amount of classical music available in that form for use in class. Seminar groups enabled him to concentrate intensively on special areas with students. The latter was regarded as an innovation for the Conservatory.
Although Dickinson never considered himself a critic or historian, he was an educator who championed music in a liberal arts setting. Working with his students he exerted great influence through his courses on the musical taste of the country. He pioneered the teaching of courses in music and fine arts appreciation at the college and university level. A man of great curiosity, familiar not only with music, but also literature, arts, history, and sociology, he could quote generously from many sources, and play music of many composers from memory. He found great joy in teaching and gave generously to his students.
For his valuable contributions to Oberlin College and his specialty of music history, Oberlin College presented to him an honorary doctorate of literature degree in 1911. He retired from the faculty in 1922, leaving a well established department in the Conservatory of Music.
His wife, Jennie Kellogg of Northampton, MA (m. 1882) preceded him in death (d. 1934). They had no children.
Edward Dickinson died on January 25, 1946, after a fall on the stairs in his home in Oberlin. A similar fall six years earlier had severely affected his eyesight.
Sources consulted: Faculty file of Edward Dickinson (RG 28/3), and the papers of Edward Dickinson (30/25).
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