William B. "WIllie" Pape Scrapbooks

William Barnesmore "Willie" Pape was born on 27 February 1850, son of William O. and Tabitha McBride Pape. Willie's talent for music was discovered at a very early age and in 1854, his father began giving him music lessons. He was so talented that even at the age of thirteen he was able to play many of the most demanding piano sonatas from memory.

Willie and his father traveled to New York in preparation for going to Europe just as the American Civil War erupted. In fact, Alabama seceded from the Union while they were on their way to New York in January 1861. Rather than traveling abroad as planned, they stayed in New York for two years. Willie continued his studies under Sebastian Bach Mills. After brief concert tours to Havana, Cuba, and Canada, Willie and his father finally left for England in 1863.

Willie's first public performance in England on 27 April 1863 was a huge success and eventually led to the patronage of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1864. He spent several more years in England, performing and touring, until returning to the United States in 1875 and resettling in Mobile. He was married twice; first to Ella Anderson (around 1880) who died on 9 August 1889; and then to her sister, Mary Anderson. Ella and Willie had three daughters, Ethel, Ella, and Hazel; Mary and Willie had one son, William Sherwood.

When he left England, Willie gave up the piano and studied medicine. In 1882, he graduated from the Medical College of Mobile with his M.D. and began his practice in Mobile. He was also on the faculty of his alma mater where he was Professor of Physiology and Hygiene. He died on 30 August 1901.