Hart Day Leavitt

Samuel Phillips Hall, Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. Hart Day Leavitt, English teacher, 1937-1975

Hart Day Leavitt (1909–2008) was a longtime English teacher at Phillips Andover Academy, amateur jazz musician, the author of a bestselling book on grammar and writing, and the professor of many notable Andover graduates, including Jack Lemmon, H. G. Bissinger and President George H. W. Bush.

A native of Concord, New Hampshire, where his father, Congregational minister Ashley Day Leavitt,[1] was pastor of a church, Leavitt was born December 29, 1909.[2] Ironically, he attended Andover's archrival, nearby Phillips Exeter Academy, and subsequently graduated from Yale University, his father's alma mater, in 1934. Following his Yale graduation, Leavitt studied at the Bread Loaf school at Middlebury College.

Soon afterwards, Leavitt took a $22-a-week job as a cub reporter on a New Hampshire newspaper. During his time as a reporter, the mother of Leavitt's fiancée suggested that he read And Gladly Teach, a book by Perry Bliss, brother of Phillips Exeter's principal. The book so captivated Leavitt that he immediately presented himself at the office of the Exeter principal, where he asked for a job. But with no graduate degrees, he was rejected.[3]

Leavitt next turned to the competition: Phillips Andover in Andover, Massachusetts, where headmaster Claude M. Fuess was intrigued by the thought of hiring a graduate of his archrival. "I was a bit disappointed not to go back to my old school," Leavitt said years later, "but not for long." Leavitt joined the Massachusetts preparatory school's English department, where he taught for nearly 40 years.

During his time at Andover, Leavitt authored three books about creative writing, including Stop, Look, and Write, which became a bestseller with over a million copies in print. He also indulged his first love, jazz, by playing sax and clarinet in several jazz ensembles. At age 14 Leavitt received a saxophone from his father, and he played through Exeter and Yale, and at one time considered a career as a musician. "At one point," the teacher recalled, "I thought I'd make jazz my profession."[4]

But when Leavitt joined the Andover faculty, jazz was somewhat outré. "Back in the 1940s the school was run by old conservatives, most of whom thought jazz was evil music", Leavitt later told musician and Andover graduate Thomas Chapin, recalling an invitation by some of his students to play with their band. "So I decided to go in and ask the headmaster who hired me if it would be all right to perform with the boys and their band. The boss looked at me disapprovingly. 'Well, Hart if you want to do that kind of thing!' So I had to refuse."[5]

In his faculty role on the Andover campus, Leavitt wore several hats, including five years coaching the varsity hockey team (1945–50). The team normally played on Rabbit Pond as an ice hockey rink had not yet been built. Following his stint as a coach, Leavitt switched gears, and embracing his love of carpentry and theater, headed up the stage crew at the old George Washington Hall theater. In his one on-stage performance, the English teacher appeared as one of the gangsters in Kiss Me, Kate, crooning "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" in a thick gangster accent.

Leavitt often joked with colleagues about his education at rival Exeter. A handful of other Andover faculty were also Exeter graduates, and the group referred to themselves as "the red cell" among the blue. (Exeter's school colors are maroon and white; Andover's blue and white.) "For this teenager it all began," said Andover alum and fellow teacher of English Thomas Regan, "with the mystery of how an Exonian could develop such lifelong loyalty to Andover."

Former President George H. W. Bush told Time magazine in an interview that he recalled writing several book reviews for Leavitt's English class, including one for Moby Dick. Bush received a grade of 67 in the class. (A grade of 60 was a failing grade).[6]

About his former student Leavitt was circumspect, recalling that "his grades in my course were not very good. He was in my eleventh-grade English class, but my remaining impression is that he just sat in the class and handed in his papers." Leavitt recalled having "very little respect for George's mentality." But, Leavitt allowed, "I have to go back and say that when he was in my class maybe he was an underdeveloped young man like a lot of them."[7]

"He showed no imagination or originality", Leavitt told Time, although he added that Bush was pleasant and had good manners. Leavitt also taught George's brother, Prescott Bush Jr., and noted that the Bush brothers' Senator father was too self-possessed to engage in small talk.[8]

Nearing the end of his Andover career, a former student recalled Leavitt as "on the verge of retirement and still playing regular saxophone gigs with a big band."[9] Following his retirement from Phillips Andover at age 65, Leavitt was appointed to the faculty of Harvard University, where he taught expository writing to freshmen for five years. At the end of his Harvard stint, and again facing retirement, Leavitt got himself appointed to a job teaching English at Tufts University.

Leavitt was married to Carol for 63 years. Among their shared interests were music – she loved classical, and he loved jazz. His wife encouraged Leavitt to take up the clarinet, and he dragged her to smoky jazz clubs to listen to his favorite jazz artists, including Ella Fitzgerald.[10] Together they were instrumental in bringing the Andover Chamber Music Series to the town.

Hart Day Leavitt died October 10, 2008, in North Andover, Massachusetts. A memorial service was held at Kemper Auditorium at Phillips Andover on November 15.[11]

Ella Fitzgerald in 1940, one of jazz enthusiast Hart Leavitt's favorite performers

See also

References

  1. ^ The Granite Monthly: A New Hampshire Magazine, Vol. XLIII, New Series, Vol. VI, Published by the Granite Monthly Company, Concord, N.H., 1911
  2. ^ Leavitt's mother was Myrtle (Hart) Leavitt, from whom he derived his first name.[1]
  3. ^ "Hart Day Leavitt, Phillips Andover Academy, andover.edu". Archived from the original on 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  4. ^ Playing as a professional jazz musician in the 1930s, Leavitt earned his way to Cuba, Scandinavia, and twice to Moscow. He continued to play regularly each summer at Squirrel Island in Southport, Maine, as a member of the oldest unincorporated jam session in America, and was the founder and director of "The Righteous Jazz Band," a group that played regularly in the Boston area.
  5. ^ "Interview with Hart Day Leavitt, Thomas Chapin website, thomaschapin.com". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  6. ^ The Republicans, Garry Wills, Time magazine, August 22, 1988
  7. ^ George Bush: The Life of a Lone Star Yankee, Herbert S. Parmet, Transaction Publishers, 2000. p. 37. ISBN 0-7658-0730-0 ISBN 978-0-7658-0730-4
  8. ^ The Republicans, Garry Wills, Time magazine, August 22, 1988
  9. ^ Holy Unexpected: My New Life as a Jew, Robin Chotzinoff, Published by PublicAffairs, 2006 ISBN 1-58648-308-0 ISBN 978-1-58648-308-1
  10. ^ Although Leavitt was on the cutting edge of the new wave of jazz, he wasn't as astute about some of the music that emerged in the 1960s. Speaking of Bob Dylan, Leavitt rendered his decidedly skeptical opinion: "His poetry sounds like a very self-conscious imitation of Kerouac." [2]
  11. ^ Memorial Service for Hart Leavitt, Phillips Andover Academy, andover.edu

Further reading

  • Stop, Look, and Write, Hart Day Leavitt, Bantam Books, New York, 1967
  • The Writer's Eye: Effective Writing Through Pictures, Hart Day Leavitt, Bantam Books, New York, 1969
  • The Looking Glass Book of Stories, Hart Day Leavitt (editor), Random House, New York, 1960
  • An Eye for People: A Writer's Guide to Character, Hart Day Leavitt, Bantam Books,
  • Look, Think, and Write: Using Pictures to Stimulate Thinking and Improve Your Writing, Hart Day Leavitt, David A. Sohn, National Textbook Co., Lincolnwood, Ill., 1985, ISBN 0-8442-5550-5

Read other articles:

Microsorum Microsorum pteropus Klasifikasi ilmiah Kerajaan: Plantae Divisi: Pteridophyta Kelas: Pteridopsida Ordo: Polypodiales (tanpa takson): Eupolypods I Famili: Polypodiaceae Genus: MicrosorumLink Hort. Berol. 1833[1] Species Lihat teks. Sinonim Campylogramma Alderw. 1916 Colysis C. Presl 1851 Dendroconche Copel. 1911 Kaulinia B.K. Nayar 1964 Microsorium Link 1841 Myrmecophila Christ ex T. Nakai 1929 Onychium Reinw. 1825 Phymatosorus Pic. Serm. 1973[2] Microsorum adalah s...

 

Para kaum ibu Minangkabau. Bundo Kanduang atau dapat diterjemahkan secara kasar ke dalam bahasa Indonesia sebagai Bunda Kandung, adalah personifikasi etnis Minangkabau sekaligus julukan yang diberikan kepada perempuan sulung atau yang dituakan dalam suatu suku (klan). Sebutan bundo kanduang hanya melakat pada seorang perempuan yang sudah berkeluarga.[1][2] Etimologi Secara harfiah, Bundo Kanduang berarti ibu sejati atau ibu kandung. Namun, secara makna bundo Kanduang adalah pe...

 

Pour les articles homonymes, voir Gainsbourg et Ginsburg. Cet article possède un paronyme, voir Gainsborough. Serge GainsbourgSerge Gainsbourg en 1981.BiographieNaissance 2 avril 19284e arrondissement de Paris (France)Décès 2 mars 1991 (à 62 ans)7e arrondissement de Paris (France)Sépulture Cimetière du MontparnasseNom de naissance Lucien GinsburgSurnoms Gainsbarre, Julien Gris, Julien Grix, L'homme à tête de chouNationalité françaiseFormation Lycée CondorcetÉcole normale de ...

Artikel ini memiliki beberapa masalah. Tolong bantu memperbaikinya atau diskusikan masalah-masalah ini di halaman pembicaraannya. (Pelajari bagaimana dan kapan saat yang tepat untuk menghapus templat pesan ini) artikel ini perlu dirapikan agar memenuhi standar Wikipedia. Masalah khususnya adalah: Y Silakan kembangkan artikel ini semampu Anda. Merapikan artikel dapat dilakukan dengan wikifikasi atau membagi artikel ke paragraf-paragraf. Jika sudah dirapikan, silakan hapus templat ini. (Pelajar...

 

Town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England Not to be confused with Shipley, West Sussex. Human settlement in EnglandShipleyShipley town centre (June 2010)ShipleyLocation within West YorkshirePopulation15,483 (ward. 2011)OS grid referenceSE 146 375Civil parishShipleyMetropolitan boroughCity of BradfordMetropolitan countyWest YorkshireRegionYorkshire and the HumberCountryEnglandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townShipleyPostcode districtBD17-18Dialling...

 

Wes CravenLahirWesley Earl CravenMeninggal30 Agustus 2015(2015-08-30) (umur 76)Los Angeles, California, Amerika Serikat[1]Pekerjaansutradara, penulis skenario, dan produserTahun aktif1971 - 2015[2]Suami/istriBonnie Broecker(1964-1969) Mimi Craven (1984-1987)Iya LabunkaSitus webwww.wescraven.com Wes Craven terlahir dengan nama Wesley Earl Craven (2 Agustus 1939 – 30 Agustus 2015) adalah seorang penulis dan sutradara Amerika. Ia dikenal karena banyak m...

この記事は検証可能な参考文献や出典が全く示されていないか、不十分です。出典を追加して記事の信頼性向上にご協力ください。(このテンプレートの使い方)出典検索?: コルク – ニュース · 書籍 · スカラー · CiNii · J-STAGE · NDL · dlib.jp · ジャパンサーチ · TWL(2017年4月) コルクを打ち抜いて作った瓶の栓 コルク(木栓、�...

 

Elections in Vermont Federal government Presidential elections 1792 1796 1800 1804 1808 1812 1816 1820 1824 1828 1832 1836 1840 1844 1848 1852 1856 1860 1864 1868 1872 1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Presidential primaries Democratic 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Republican 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 U.S. Senate elections 1791 1794 1...

 

Volleyball at the 1993 Mediterranean Games← 19911997 → Medalists Event Gold Silver Bronze Men's Competition  France  Spain  Turkey Women's Competition  Croatia  France  Turkey Standings Men's Competition Rank Team  France  Spain  Turkey 4  Greece 5  Algeria 6  Bosnia and Herzegovina 7  Slovenia 8  Albania Women's Competition Rank Team  Croatia  France  Turkey 4  Greece 5  ...

This article does not cite any sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: 1999 Indian general election in Haryana – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) 1999 Indian general election in Haryana← 19982004 →10 seats   First party Second party Third party   Party...

 

الاحتجاجات التونسية 2018 جزء من الاحتجاجات العربية 2018–الآن  التاريخ 1 يناير - فبراير 2018 المكان  تونس الأسباب ارتفاع المعيشة، الزيادة في الأسعار وارتفاع الضرائب الأهداف إلغاء قانون المالية لسنة 2018 الأطراف المحتجون المعارضونالشرطة التونسية الجيش التونسي قادة الفري�...

 

PPMI AssalaamPondok Pesantren Modern Islam AssalaamAlamatSukoharjo, Jawa TengahIndonesiaTelepon/Faks.0271-718741Situs webwww.assalaam.or.idInformasiJenisPondok pesantrenAfiliasiPPMI Assalaam tidak berafiliasi pada salah satu golongan dan berdiri untuk semua berdasarkan prinsip2 IslamDidirikan7 Agustus 1982PendiriH. Abdullah Marzuki (Alm) Hj. Siti Aminah KH. Djamaluddin (Alm) KH. M. Chozin Shiddiq (Alm) KH. Umar Nahdi (Alm) Drs. H. Ahmad Syamsuri, MMPimpinanDrs. H. Uripto Mahmud Yunus, M....

Meeting on the succession to Muhammad Part of a series onMuhammad Life Mecca Hijrah Medina After Conquest of Mecca Farewell Pilgrimage (Farewell Sermon) Hadith Milestones and records Career Military Diplomatic Miracles Quran (First revelation) Isra and Mi'raj Splitting of the Moon Views Jews Christians Perspectives Islam Bible Judaism Medieval Christian Historicity Criticism Succession Saqifah Ghadir Khumm Companions of Muhammad Hadith of the pen and paper Ahl al-Bayt Praise Salawat Naat Mawl...

 

Aggressive use of state military force that violates the Charter of the United Nations The crime of aggression was conceived by Soviet jurist Aron Trainin in the wake of the German invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II. Pictured: Stalingrad in ruins, December 1942 A crime of aggression or crime against peace is the planning, initiation, or execution of a large-scale and serious act of aggression using state military force. The definition and scope of the crime is controversial. The...

 

8 aoûtaux Jeux olympiques d'été de 2020 Généralités Sport Sports olympiques Organisateur(s) CIO Lieu(x) Tokyo Date 8 août 2021 Disciplines multiples Site(s) multiples Navigation Juillet : 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Août : 1er 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 modifier Le dimanche 8 août aux Jeux olympiques d'été de 2020 est le dix-neuvième et dernier jour de compétition. Programme Légende Heure UTC+09:00(Japon) bleu Cérémonie neutre Épreuve or Finale orange Petite finale rose Re...

Kereta api Over Night ServicesKereta api Parcel Selatan arah timur saat melintasi areal persawahan di sebelah barat Kabupaten Nganjuk, Jawa Timur.Informasi umumJenis layananKereta api barangStatusBeroperasiDaerah operasi Daerah Operasi I Jakarta (Parcel Utara dan Tengah) Daerah Operasi VIII Surabaya (Parcel Selatan) Mulai beroperasi 3 Oktober 2007; 16 tahun lalu (2007-10-03) (Parcel Utara) 1 Desember 2019; 4 tahun lalu (2019-12-01) (Parcel Selatan dan Parcel Tengah) 11 Maret 2020; 4...

 

زلزال بيروت معلومات التاريخ 551  مكان الزلزال 33°54′N 35°30′E / 33.9°N 35.5°E / 33.9; 35.5 إحداثيات 33°54′N 35°30′E / 33.9°N 35.5°E / 33.9; 35.5   النتائج الخسائر البشرية above 30,000 تسونامي yes تعديل مصدري - تعديل   المميزات التكتونية الرئيسية للبنان زلزال بيروت عام 551 وقع زلز�...

 

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada Februari 2023. We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried LineLaguDipublikasi1939GenreLagu Perang Dunia IIKomponis musikMichael CarrLirikusJimmy Kennedy We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line adalah lagu yang ditulis oleh Jimmy Kennedy s...

Holiday package company for young adults This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Club 18-30 – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Club 18-30Company typePrivateIndustryPackage holidaysFounded1968Defunct30 October 2018[1]FateClosedH...

 

فيربيفكا (بالأوكرانية: Вербівка)‏  تاريخ التأسيس 1830  تقسيم إداري البلد أوكرانيا  [1] التقسيم الأعلى منطقة إزيوم (18 يوليو 2020–)  خصائص جغرافية إحداثيات 49°29′18″N 36°49′47″E / 49.4882614°N 36.829664°E / 49.4882614; 36.829664   المساحة 3.395 كيلومتر مربع  الارتفاع 83 متر ...