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William Miller

William Miller (August 1810 – 20 August 1872) was a Scottish poet best known for the nursery rhyme Wee Willie Winkie.

Miller, known as "The Laureate of the Nursery", was born in Glasgow and lived in Dennistoun, Scotland. He suffered from ill health and was unable to become a surgeon and instead took up woodturning and cabinet making. At the same time he began writing poetry and children's rhymes, mainly in the Scots language. His poetry was published in various works including the Whistle-binkie books.

In 1842, Whistle-binkie: Stories for the Fireside was published and contained the rhyme Wee Willie Winkie. The poem would go on to become known in other countries, in translation, and made Miller famous at the time. In 1871, Miller's leg became ulcerated and he had to retire from cabinet making. The leg became infected and led to his death in 1872 aged 62. By then Miller was destitute and was buried at Tollcross. Later a memorial to Miller was erected on the Glasgow Necropolis.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 1st, 1810 (Glasgow), Died August 20, 1872

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1920 - 1934

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-82858 10-in. 7/31/1934 We'll work till Jesus comes Smith’s Sacred Singers Male vocal quartet, with piano composer  
Victor [Trial 1920-02-16-04] Not documented 2/16/1920 Where my caravan has rested Leroy Hartt ; Mable Hartt Female-male vocal duet, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh W80969 10-in. 6/3/1927 I'm going home to die no more Giddens Sisters Female vocal trio, with guitars composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Miller, William," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/206838.

Miller, William. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/206838.

"Miller, William." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/206838

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