William J. Henderson

Born in 1855 and active as a journalist, William James Henderson became known as an American music critic, writer, and commentator on opera and classical music. He studied at Princeton and went on to build a career in newspapers, where he wrote about performances, singers, and composers for a broad public.

He is especially associated with music criticism in New York, including work for The New York Times and later The New York Sun. Alongside journalism, he wrote books on music and musicians, helping readers approach subjects like Richard Wagner, opera, and musical history in a direct, accessible way.

Henderson died in 1937, but his work still offers a window into the musical culture of his time. For listeners and readers today, he remains an engaging voice from an era when opera and concert music were central parts of public cultural life.