Did you know that the US Consul to Trieste was an expert on Beethoven?
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| Alexander W. Thayer - US Consul to Trieste - Beethoven Biographer |
Alexander Wheelock Thayer (1817-1897) was the author of the The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven in 3 volumes, the first scholarly biography of Beethoven, still after many updatings regarded as a standard work of reference on the composer.
A graduate of the Harvard Law School, Thayer became an assistant librarian at Harvard and began his research on Beethoven, eventually moving to Europe to learn German and continue his research.
Thayer was the U.S. Consul to Trieste from 1865 - 1882. His presentation letter was signed by Abraham Lincoln.
Thayer wrote an anonomous article entitled Beethoven: His Childhood and Youth, published in The Atlantic Monthly's 7th issue in May 1858.
Thayer stayed on in Trieste after he left the diplomatic corps. He died in Trieste and is buried in the Evangelical Cemetery.
If you are in downtown Trieste, there is a commemorative plaque from 1970 on the corner of the building on Riva Grumula 2, where he lived and died.
The largest collection of Beethoven memorabilia in the world is held by the Carrino Family in Muggia, Italy.
You can visit the Virtual collection from November 6, 2021 at this LINK. In addition to various Beethoven items, you can also find a copy of the Thayer Beethoven Biography and a letter signed by Abraham Lincoln.