King's School of Oratory

The King's School of Oratory, or the Byron W. King School of Oratory, was a school for speech arts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that operated from 1888[1] to at least 1948.[2]

The school taught elocution and speech arts[3] including public speaking, dramatics, voice production (singing and speaking), physical culture, Shakespeare, and cure of speech defects (i.e. speech therapy).[4]

The school conferred degrees as well as operating short courses. Speech therapy was open to various ages.

History

The school was founded by Dr. Byron Wesley King, who had overcome a stammer in his own youth to become a renowned orator. King taught speech and drama at Curry College before opening his own school.[5] King died unexpectedly in 1924 during his return from a speaking engagement.[6] His widow continued to operate the school until at least 1948.[2]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Commencement of the Pittsburg College of Music and King's School of Oratory". Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Press. 26 Jun 1898. p. 4. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  2. "Charleroi Thespians in Ladies in Retirement". Monongahela, Pennsylvania: The Daily Republican. 8 March 1948. p. 3.
  3. "Presbyterian of the South". 94 (29). 21 July 1920: 12. Retrieved 5 June 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. United States Bureau of Education (1914). Report of the Commissioner of Education Made to the Secretary of the Interior for the Year Ended June 30, 1913 with Accompanying Papers, Volume 2. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 407.
  5. JA Belfast and JP Greenawalt for Michael Baker Intl Inc, A Bamberg for Clio Consulting, and Cosmos Technologies Inc. Architectural Inventory for the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Planning Sector 6: Mt. Washington and Hilltop West Allentown and Knoxville Neighborhoods Report of Findings and Recommendations. City of Pittsburgh in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission and the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office. p. 17.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "Dr Byron W. King Died Suddenly in Hospital". The Morning Press. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. 13 May 1924.


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