Talk:Benjamin Franklin White

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[edit] Include the White/Walker legend?

From time to time I ponder if this page should include the famous tale about B. F. White, William Walker, and the Southern Harmony. (For those who don't know, the tale goes roughly like this: The two were married to sisters. B. F. White is supposed to have been the co-compiler with Walker of The Southern Harmony; Walker took the manuscript north to be printed, and when it came out it only had Walker's name on it; and the two men never spoke to each other again).

The story is certainly in widespread circulation, and if true it would help explain White's great zeal in promoting Sacred Harp singing. The disadvantage of including the story is that we probably only have White's side of it, perhaps exaggerated over the years by indignant family members--would this be scholarship or gossip?

I don't have the crucial books with me, but sample instances of how people have dealt with this on the Web are:

Versions with betrayal and scandal:

• http://www.oberlin.net/~cwells/whitebio.htm
• http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/h/white_bf.htm
• http://www.theoldtimes.com/past/1201_3.html\
• http://www.wellhost.com/charis/firstcd.html

Version without betrayal and scandal:

• http://biographies.texasfasola.org/bfwhite.html

Can anyone suggest a way to proceed (include, debunk, ignore...)?

Thanks, Opus33 21:33, 1 Nov 2004 (UTC)

I don't have an answer, but I have thought about this question lately, in relation to some things I think are or may be "sacred cows". I've thought of studying this further, to possibly see where the story originated. My gut feeling is that it may have come from J. S. James, and that it is more myth than fact. I'll let you know if I find anything. - Rlvaughn 04:52, 2 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Thanks, RLV. I'll be curious to see if anything can be found out. Opus33 15:56, 2 Nov 2004 (UTC)

I posted a quick query on the fasola list before retiring last night. I copied some of your question, but didn't take the time to explain the background (hope you don't mind). Haven't turned up anything much yet. There's probably not a lot to historically substantiate the story, even if it is true. My gut feeling is also that there is a small fire (of truth) behind the big smoke (of myth). The most interesting thing mentioned so far is that "in the Sacred Harp the tunes are always accompanied by any composer credits given in the Southern Harmony except when the composer was William Walker. His name does not appear in the book." RLV

Thanks again, RLV. It seems like that list is something that an amateur Sacred Harp scholar ought to be reading, so I've logged on and will follow the discussion. Opus33 16:24, 3 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Great! You must be reading my mind. I was going to recommend that you sign up. - Rlvaughn 01:20, 4 Nov 2004 (UTC)