Ernst C. Krohn

Ernst Christopher Krohn (December 23, 1888 — March 21, 1975) was an American professor, musicologist, archivist, and collector with a research focus on the music of Missouri. He wrote and published multiple books, articles, reviews, and dictionary entries as well as composed piano works. Krohn was a music professor at Washington University in St. Louis from 1939 to 1953 and Saint Louis University from 1953 to 1963. In 1966, he sold over 10,000 items from his personal music collection to the Washington University library.

Early life Ernst Christopher Krohn was born December 23, 1888, in New York City, and as a child learned piano from his father and neighborhood music teacher. In 1899, Krohn and his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Due to family financial troubles, Krohn dropped out of high school, with his freshman year being his last in formal education. His father began the Krohn School of Music in 1909, where Krohn started teaching full-time.

Awards

In 1959, Krohn was awarded a citation of special merit by the Missouri Historical Society for his research and publications relating to musicology. In 1966, Krohn was named Honorary Curator by Washington University after he sold his musicology collection to the university.