Description
Clarence Thomas Urmy was born 10 July 1858 in San Francisco, California, and was considered "the first native poet of California."
He published several volumes of collected verse and wrote dramatic and music criticism for the San Jose Mercury Herald.
Background
Poet Clarence Urmy (1858-1923) was born in San Francisco on July 10, 1858. He was the grandson of Elea Thomas who was one
of the founders of the Methodist church in the state of California. Urmy's father was a Methodist minister for 50 years. Urmy
attended San Francisco public schools and then Napa College where he studied music and received a bachelor's degree. He worked
for a number of years in music houses including Sherman and Clay in San Francisco. Urmy continued to study voice at this time
and did some performing in San Francisco and San Jose. He was the organist at Santa Clara Methodist Church and later at Trinity
Episcopal Church in San Jose. He taught piano at the College of the Pacific and four years at San Jose Teachers' College.
Extent
2 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Restrictions
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these materials are believed to be in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use of public domain materials.
Availability
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.