Patty Hill | |
|---|---|
| Born | Patty Smith Hill (1868-03-27)March 27, 1868 Anchorage, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | May 25, 1946(1946-05-25) (aged 78) New York City, U.S. |
| Resting place | Cave Hill Cemetery |
| Occupations |
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| Notable work | "Happy Birthday to You" |
| Relatives | Mildred J. Hill, Jessica Hill (sister) |
| Awards | Columbia University (Honorary doctorate), induction into theSongwriters Hall of Fame |
Patty Smith Hill (March 27, 1868 – May 25, 1946)[1] was an American composer and teacher who is perhaps best known for co-writing, with her sisterMildred Hill, the tune which later became popular as "Happy Birthday to You". She was an Americannursery school,kindergartenteacher, and key founder of the National Association for Nursery Education (NANE) which now exists as the National Association For the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Patty Smith Hill was born in 1868 inAnchorage, Kentucky, just outsideLouisville. Her parents were passionate people who instilled in Patty and her siblings the importance of education, the value of play, and the necessity of advocating for others. Her father, William Wallace Hill, was born inBath, Kentucky, graduated fromCentre College inDanville, Kentucky in 1833, and earned a doctorate of Theology fromPrinceton University in 1838. He dedicated his entire life to ministry and education, which took the Hill family from Kentucky toMissouri toTexas. Her mother, Martha Jane Smith, was William's second wife (his first died in childbirth), and was born inPennsylvania, but as an adolescent moved with her brother to live with their aunt and uncle on their plantation in Danville. Martha Jane was intent on learning and passing along education to others, evidenced, for example, by the fact that she taught the slaves on the Grimes plantation to read and write.
Hill's parents were committed to their children's education; her father is reported to have told his daughters to understand the value of a good education, and that it was, "a tragedy for women to marry for a home. Don't live with law kin! Don't even if you have to live in a hollow tree!" Empowered by her parents' encouragement, Patty graduated valedictorian of her class from the Louisville Collegiate Institute in 1887.
Hill was an authority and leader in theprogressive education movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Patty developed the Patty Hill blocks and in 1924 helped create the Institute of Child Welfare Research atColumbia University Teachers College.[2] The Patty Hill blocks were large blocks with which children could create giant constructions. She was a member, President, and lifetime support of the Association for Childhood Education International.[citation needed]
Hill is perhaps best known as the sister ofMildred J. Hill, with whom she is credited as co-writing the tune to the song "Good Morning to All". The tune became even more popular as "Happy Birthday to You"[1] during the 20th century. Hill and her sister Mildred wrote the song (Mildred wrote the tune; Patty wrote the original lyrics) while Mildred was a composer of songs and Patty was principal at the Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School. This kindergarten was an early experiment in modern educational methods, and was honored, along with the Hill sisters, at theChicago World's Fair in 1893.[citation needed]
Patty Smith Hill, who never married, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree byColumbia University in 1929.[3] Hill died at her home inNew York City, and is buried inCave Hill Cemetery,Louisville, Kentucky.[4] She and Mildred J. Hill were posthumously inducted into theSongwriters Hall of Fame on June 12, 1996.
