Percival Robson Kirby

Percival Robson Kirby (1887-1970) was an academic, a musicologist and ethnomusicologist who specialised in African music.

Also described as a teacher, a conductor, a timpanist, a flautist, a composer, a scientist, and an artist

Percival R. Kirby was one of the greatest South African musicologists and ethnomusicologists. He was also a teacher, a conductor, a timpanist, a flautist, a composer, a scientist, and an artist

Born Percival Robson Kirby on April 17, 1887 in Aberdeen, Scotland,

He died on February 07, 1970 in Grahamstown, South Africa

He had an M.A. and D.Litt. degree, and was the Head of the Department of Music, University of the Witwatersrand. Rnowned for his collection of African musical instruments and his studies on musical performances in Southern Africa.

Also wrote as P.R. Kirby and Percival R. Kirby.

Publications

For a full list of Professor Kirby's earlier publications, see: Valerie Bryer 1965. Professor Percival Robson Kirby, M.A., D. Litt., F.R.C.M., Head of the Department of Music, University of the Witwatersrand, 1921-1954: a bibliography of his works. Johannesburg Public Library.

Works specifically relating to theatrical and other performance activities:

"The barracks and hospitals of the Cape Corps in Grahamstown in 1826", The South African Medical Journal.

The Musical Instruments of the Native Races of South Africa

"The Hottentot Venus”, Africana Notes and News, 6, 3 (June 1949)

"Frederick Timpson I’Ons and the first sixteen years of the theatre in Grahamstown". Africana Notes & News, 1962, Vol 15:66-83.

Wits End: An Unconventional Autobiography. Timmins, 1967

Sources

https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/kirby-percival-robson

https://www.geni.com/people/Percival-Kirby/6000000032347671191