Concise Encyclopedia of Tufts History
Sauer, Anne
Branco, Jessica
Bennett, John
Crowley, Zachary
2000
Hayes, Elliot W., 1892-1936
Elliot Wright Hayes (1892-1936), member of the class of 1916, was the composer of"Tuftonia's Day" and several other Tufts songs. Although he left Tufts before receiving his degree, Hayes left his mark on the college through his musical works. | |
Born in 1892, Hayes inherited his musical talents from his father, who was a composer, violinist, and light opera producer before he entered the leather import business. | |
Hayes matriculated at Tufts in 1912.He worked his way through school as a janitor at the First Universalist Church of Medford, along with his classmate, Donald MacJannet. He also was employed as a translator and correspondent for oversees business in the W. A. Rumpf Company. His activities on campus included the Debate Club, the Weekly and the Commons Club, while he also published stories in "Collier's" and "Everybody's" as an undergraduate. | |
Hayes' most notable college composition, "Tuftonia's Day," was first introduced to the student body at Stunt Night in 1912 and became an immediate success on campus. He also wrote "Fight" and "Shell Out" for the college's Jumbo Bond campaign. Hayes married and left Tufts in 1915 to work as the advertising manager of a company in New York City. He then returned to Boston to continue his work in the advertising industry. He and his wife had one son and four daughters, one of whom attended Jackson College. Hayes dies suddenly on May 23, 1936. | |
Source: VF | |
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