New-York tribune., 1919-11-16
Major Higginson,
Founder of Boston
Orchestra, Is Dead
Expires in Hospital, Fol-
lowing Operation, at Age
of85; Banker and Soldier
and a Patron of Harvard

BOSTON, Nov. 15.--Major Henry Lee
Higginson, banker and founder of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra, died last
night at the Massachusetts General
Hospital after an operation. Major
Higginson would have completed his
eighty-tifth year Tuesday His death
was due to the recurrence of an old
trouble for which he underwent treat
ment last winter. He was taken to
the hospital yesterday afternoon. The
operation was performed soon after
ward and he died at $3.50 o'clock.
Funeral services will be held in Ap-
pleton Chapel, Harvard University, at
noon Monday. Rectations and lec-
lures will be suspended for an hour.
In statement issued at the uni
versty Offices to-day Major Higginson
is referred to as one of Harvard's s
greatest benefactors. The statement
adds:
He gave the Harvard Union. which
for many years has been useful as a
common meeting place for Harvard
men and as great club to which all
members of the university are eligi-
Bile. He also gave Soldiers Field. His
services as fellow of the corporation
are too many and valuable to recount
His death will be mourned by Harvard
men everywhere"
Best Known AS Music Patron
Although he was the head of the
banking firm Of Lee, Higginson g. Co.,
with which he had been associated
since 1858, Major Higginson was best
known as the founder and patron of
the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with
which he maintained close connection
as director until the arrest of the con-
ductor, Doctor Karl Muck, two years
ago, as a dangerous enemy alien. 1t
was explained at the time that his
advanced years rendered his retire
mcnt imperative, and control of the or
chestra passed into the hands Of a
board of trustees.
Major Higginson was born in New
York City November IS, 1884, the son
of George and Mary Cabot Lee Hig-
ginson. The family moved to Boston
shortly after his birth, and in 1855
Major Higginson entered Harvard, but
resigned before graduation to enter a
banking firm. His service with this
firm was interrupted for a year of
musical studies in Vienna, but he re-
mained with it until the outbreak of
the Civil War. He entered the army
as a second lieutenant, and was made
major for gallantry. Later he was
brevetted a lieutenant colonel for
bravery on the battlefield He was
wounded four times in 1854 and was
retired.
Proud of His War Record
Major Hlgglnson YVES proud Of his
war record. 1t was said he slept at
least one night year in his war relic
at Harvard was his memorial to
friends and comrades who died in
service
For years he was leader in Boston
life and affairs. A conservative, he
led the opposition to the contirma on
of Justice Louis Brandes as q mem
ber of the United States Supreme
Court in 1916.
He founded the Boston Symphony in
1881. it never made money, and as
patron Major Higginson was frequently
called upon to meet deficits amounting
sometimes to as much as $4,000 a
Wv. ,@A-,e-St JCotS tEO HS IdlIlt lulO
conflict with the Musicians Union be-
cause twenty members of the orchestra
did not carry cards. This resulted in
the entire membership of the orchestra
surrendering their union cards, and
Major Higglnson then announced that
II permitted to conduct the orchestra s
affairs as he wished it would not end
with his death, a pledge which he justi-
fed few years later with an an
nouncement that his will provided ST.
O0O,0 for it's maintenance.
Honored by 1000 Music Lovers
On his eighty fourth birthday, last
year, souvenir book containing the
signatures of 1000 patrons of the or
chestra was presented to him. The
first page bore a letter of dedication
by Doctor Charles w. Eliot, president
emeritus of Harvard.
After the Civil War Major Higgin
son first tried cotton planting in Geor-
gla, but without success. He then re
turned to Boston and entered the firm
Of Lee, Hlgginson & Co.. becoming
head of the firm when Henry Lee re
tired in 1897. He became a member o,
the Boston Stock Exchange in 1865
and of the New York Stock Exchange il
1876.
Harvard Union was established will
$lo0,OOO given by him in 1899 He wa:
elected to the Harvard Corporation il
1898 and became a trustee of the Car