Guide to the August Werner Papers
1911-1980

Biographical Note

August Werner was born in Bergen, Norway, on December 5th, 1893. In 1913 he received a B.S. from the College of Agriculture in Stend, Norway, and he graduated from the Masters School of Music in New York in 1924. Werner was a professor in the School of Music at the University of Washington from 1931 to 1965. He taught voice lessons, gave recitals, and made appearances in opera productions at the university. Werner also directed the Norwegian Male Chorus and the Ladies' Chorus in Seattle, as well as the Chanters of the Nile Temple Shrine. In addition, Werner acted as director in chief of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association. Werner performed as a baritone both in the United States and in Europe. He sang as a soloist with symphony orchestras, churches, and choirs. He also performed as an invited soloist at special events in his communities.

Werner was also an artist. He painted landscapes of Norway and scenes from Norway's history. Among his creations as a sculptor are a bust of Beethoven at the University of Washington and a cast-bronze statue of Leif Eriksson, unveiled in 1962, which overlooks Shilshole Bay Marina in the Ballard area of Seattle, Washington. Werner was decorated by the King of Norway with the Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of St. Olav by the King of Sweden. He died in 1980.

Scope and Content

The August Werner papers include correspondence, programs, clippings, published music, and ephemera. Writings include "A play in three scenes depicting different episodes from the first Swedish expedition to Delaware, 1637-1638." Some musical scores transcribed by Werner are also included. There is a large collection of programs and clippings. Many of the programs relate to concerts and events which August Werner attended, performed in, and/or directed. The clippings document Werner's interests and accomplishments as a musician, artist, and amateur historian. Also included are records from the Committee for Seattle Visit of Crown Prince Olav & Crown Princess Martha of Norway and the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association.

Arrangement

Arranged in 3 series:

• Personal and professional papers, 1911-1980
• Committee for Seattle Visit of Crown Prince Olav & Crown Princess Martha of Norway records, 1938-1939
• Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association records, 1936-1963

Restrictions on Use

The creator's literary rights have not been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Restrictions on Access

The papers are open to all users.

Separated Material

Some Norwegian-American and Norwegian newspapers were transferred to the Microform/Newspapers Section of the University of Washington Libraries in 2004. Other unrelated publications were sent to the Gifts Processing Unit of the University of Washington Libraries in 2004.

Acquisition Info

Gift of Mrs. August Werner in 1980.

Processing Info

Processed in 2005 by Meredith Selfon.

Mold-damaged materials were photocopied and the originals discarded.

Twenty-one photographs and one postcard were relocated to the August Werner Photograph Collection, PH Accession No. 2005-021, in the division in February 2005.

Other Finding Aids

The visual materials that form part of this collection are described in the Guide to the August Werner Photograph Collection, PH Coll 708, which is available in the Special Collections Division of the University of Washington Libraries.

Inventory