Crawford, Robert, 1899-1961

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Robert MacArthur Crawford was an adventurer and composer. He grew up in Alaska where he drove a stagecoach and learned to fly light aircraft. Later he went to Princeton University and then study in France where his main interest was in music and voice. He received a graduate fellowship to the Julliard School of Music. Afterwards, he gave many concerts and became known as the "Flying Baritone". In 1938, he wrote the "Air Force Song". During World War II he was a pilot in the Air Transport Command, and then he returned to his music career.

From the description of Robert Crawford papers, 1900-1960. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 62794058

Robert M. Crawford (1899-1961), son of Ronald M. and Mabel Crawford, was born in Dawson, Yukon. In 1905 the family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where Robert spent his boyhood. Robert graduated from Princeton University with a degree in music and went on to earn a graduate degree from the Julliard School of Music. His career included concert performances as a baritone, teaching, and musical composition. A licensed pilot who served in the Air Transport Command during World War II and subsequently in the Air Force Reserve, he is best known as the composer of the official U.S. Air Force anthem, which begins with the line "Off we go into the wild blue yonder."

From the description of Robert M. Crawford papers, 1901-1985. (University of Alaska, Fairbanks). WorldCat record id: 314194499

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Crawford, Robert, 1899-1961. Robert M. Crawford songs, 1923-1961. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Crawford family. Crawford family album, 1900-1917. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library
creatorOf Crawford, Robert, 1899-1961. Robert M. Crawford papers, 1901-1985. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library
creatorOf Crawford, Robert, 1899-1961. Robert Crawford papers, 1900-1960. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Elisabeth Fraser papers, 1920-1999 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Crawford, Robert Stuart. Railroad electrification. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Crawford, Robert, 1899-1961. The Army Air Corps / words and music by Robert Crawford ; arr'd by Mary Nourse Bécher. Library of Congress
creatorOf Barber, Samuel, 1910-1981. Funeral march : based on the Army Air Corps song / Samuel Barber. Library of Congress
referencedIn Crawford family. Crawford family papers, 1900-1985. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Barber, Samuel, 1910-1981. person
associatedWith Bécher, Mary Nourse. person
associatedWith Crawford family. family
associatedWith Crawford family. family
associatedWith Fraser, Elisabeth person
associatedWith United States. Air Force. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army Air Forces corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
United States
Subject
Air pilots
Baritones (Singers)
Composers
Military music, American
Patriotic music, American
Songs
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1899-07-27

Death 1961-03-12

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