William Emmett Studwell (18 March 1936 – 2 August 2010) was an American librarian who became known for his knowledge of carols.

Biography

William Studwell was born in

Stamford, Connecticut Stamford () is a city in the U.S. state of Connecticut, outside of Manhattan. It is Connecticut's second-most populous city, behind Bridgeport. With a population of 135,470, Stamford passed Hartford and New Haven in population as of the 2020 ...

and he studied history at the University of Connecticut.

Fight songs

The University of Notre Dame song is one of the most recognizable collegiate fight songs in the United States. Studwell ranked the song first, and said it was "more borrowed, more famous and, frankly, you just hear it more."

Christmas carols

Studwell had started to choose a carol for each year starting in 1986 when he chose the Ukrainian '' Carol of the Bells''. Studwell took an academic interest in carols which he had spent over 6,000 hours in study. Before Christmas each year he would announce the new carol and he would be invited to interviews with the media where he was quizzed on his choice. Studwell died in

Bloomington Hospital Indiana University Health, formerly known as Clarian Health Partners, is a nonprofit healthcare system located in the U.S. state of Indiana. It is the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in Indiana, with 16 hospitals under its IU ...

in 2010. The day before he died he dictated a letter to his daughter which recorded his selection of a carol for 2010. Studwell fittingly chose '' We Wish You a Merry Christmas'' which is "frequently the final piece in carol performances sessions".

References

1936 births 2010 deaths People from Stamford, Connecticut American librarians University of Connecticut alumni Catholic University of America alumni {{US-academic-bio-stub