Herbert Waller Willett (1881-1944) was born in Corydon, Kentucky, and married Gladys Leona
Rude. Moving to Madison, Wisconsin in 1914, he remained a resident of the city for most of
his life. A piano tuner, teacher, performer, and composer by trade, he was a prolific writer
who primarily composed vocal songs which he frequently submitted to local and national music
contests. He won some of these competitions, and also collaborated with other Madison poets
throughout his music career.
