John Marshall Kernochan
Encyclopedia
John Marshall Kernochan (August 3, 1919 – October 29, 2007) was a law professor, composer and music publisher who founded Columbia Law School's Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts. His pioneering work in intellectual property law helped spur stronger protections for artists.
Kernochan was born August 3, 1919, the only child of composer Marshall Kernochan and Caroline Rigney Hatch, a World War I nurse.
Kernochan prepped at St. Mark's School
in Southborough, Massachusetts. There, for the school's yearbook, he produced memorable verses on that year's graduates, which kicked off a lifelong pastime of writing doggerel verse and bawdy limericks. He also composed religious music.
After a year at Princeton University
, he dropped out to devote himself to composing. He studied under Howard Brockway, and spent a year visiting Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Kernochan composed several choral and orchestral compositions, which were later recorded. He transferred to Harvard University
, graduated in 1942, and married Adelaide Chatfield-Taylor, the daughter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's assistant treasury secretary, Wayne Chatfield-Taylor
.
When the U.S. entered World War II
, he enlisted. On his way to his posting, he composed his best-known recorded song, "As I Go Riding By." Following the war he attended Columbia Law School
; he subsequently became a professor there.
Kernochan, who published and encouraged such American composers as Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Ward, William Bergsma, Donald Waxman and Allen Shawn, became heavily involved while a professor at Columbia Law School
as an advocate for artists' intellectual property rights. Kernochan also developed the U.S. chapter of the Association Littraire et Artistique Internationale, originally created by Victor Hugo and others to press for international authors' rights.
Kernochan directed Columbia's Legislative Drafting Research Fund from 1952 to 1969, organizing projects and studies in witness immunity, financial protection against nuclear hazards, arms control and health and air pollution regulation. He was a member of President Kennedy's Commission on the Status of Women, which helped lead to women's rights legislation in the late 1960s.
For many years, Kernochan ran his family's music publishing company, Galaxy Music Corporation, inspiring a revival of English and Italian madrigals by publishing a series edited by the Thurston Dart
.
Kernochan was born August 3, 1919, the only child of composer Marshall Kernochan and Caroline Rigney Hatch, a World War I nurse.
Kernochan prepped at St. Mark's School
St. Mark's School (Massachusetts)
St. Mark’s School is a coeducational, Episcopal, preparatory school, situated on in Southborough, Massachusetts, from Boston. It was founded in 1865 as an all-boys' school by Joseph Burnett, a wealthy native of Southborough who developed and marketed the world-famous Burnett Vanilla Extract . ...
in Southborough, Massachusetts. There, for the school's yearbook, he produced memorable verses on that year's graduates, which kicked off a lifelong pastime of writing doggerel verse and bawdy limericks. He also composed religious music.
After a year at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, he dropped out to devote himself to composing. He studied under Howard Brockway, and spent a year visiting Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Kernochan composed several choral and orchestral compositions, which were later recorded. He transferred to Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, graduated in 1942, and married Adelaide Chatfield-Taylor, the daughter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's assistant treasury secretary, Wayne Chatfield-Taylor
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor was Under Secretary of Commerce and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under President Franklin D. Roosevelt....
.
When the U.S. entered World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he enlisted. On his way to his posting, he composed his best-known recorded song, "As I Go Riding By." Following the war he attended Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
; he subsequently became a professor there.
Kernochan, who published and encouraged such American composers as Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Ward, William Bergsma, Donald Waxman and Allen Shawn, became heavily involved while a professor at Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
as an advocate for artists' intellectual property rights. Kernochan also developed the U.S. chapter of the Association Littraire et Artistique Internationale, originally created by Victor Hugo and others to press for international authors' rights.
Kernochan directed Columbia's Legislative Drafting Research Fund from 1952 to 1969, organizing projects and studies in witness immunity, financial protection against nuclear hazards, arms control and health and air pollution regulation. He was a member of President Kennedy's Commission on the Status of Women, which helped lead to women's rights legislation in the late 1960s.
For many years, Kernochan ran his family's music publishing company, Galaxy Music Corporation, inspiring a revival of English and Italian madrigals by publishing a series edited by the Thurston Dart
Thurston Dart
Robert Thurston Dart , was a British musicologist, conductor and keyboard player. From 1964 he was Professor of Music at King's College London....
.