T. Earl Pardoe
From College of Fine Arts and Communications
T. Earl Pardoe (1885-1969)
"Thomas Earl Pardoe[1] was born in Ogden, UT on Feb. 24, 1885 to Tom and Leonora Pardoe. He is described as a teacher, author, actor, missionary, biographer, civic worker, husband and father. The Pardoe family immigrated to Utah from Stratford-on-Avon, England. Their home stood four doors from Shakespeare’s birthplace. His mother Leonora joined the church in England and tried twice to travel to Utah before arriving successfully. In the children’s upbringing, the learning of a musical instrument was strongly encouraged. Actually, each child was expected to learn to play a musical instrument by the age six, otherwise they were given spankings by the entire family. His father’s profession was a barber. Earl attended the old Washington School on Grant Avenue.
Throughout high school, staged programs and plays while working nights at D&RG Railroad. In school, Earl demonstrated incredible mathematical skills. During his high school days, Earl assisted Reverend Garver of the local Presbyterian Church with programs and organization of plays. For his senior play, “Priscilla,” he played Miles Standish. He excelled in his classes and graduated Magna Cum Laude. After graduation, Pardoe went to work for the railroad as a dining car assistant auditor for a time on the line from Ogden to Portland. Through the aid of his grandfather, he received a scholarship to Stanford, where he began his schooling in engineering. He also worked for the university teaching gymnastics, wrestling and tutored math. He later returned to Ogden to work for Fred J. Kiesel, a wholesale grocery store owner. It was during this time that he staged a community operetta, “Ermine.”
"For a time Earl also worked for the old Ogden Opera Company. The owners of this company, Jim Cruz and Melford went on to form Goldwyn, the first motion picture company. Earl worked as a prop man, and filled in when actors could not perform. When Melford and Cruz offered Earl the opportunity to join them on their venture to California, he turned them down. Earl knew despite his talent in mathematics, his passion was theater. He then consequently entered Leland Powers School of the Drama in Boston. During this time, Pardoe did missionary work with his uncle Ben E. Rich, president of the New England mission. Also, he tried out for the chorus in the Boston Grand Opera, was admitted and became acquainted with the stars of that day. While in Boston, he worked as a reporter for the Deseret News in the “Utahns in Boston” column.
"Earl graduated from drama school as president of the student body. Then, he was compelled to bring his ailing uncle back to Ogden and it was at this time that he met his wife, Kathryn Bassett[2]. Earl was serving as the understudy of a leading actor in the comedic opera, “The Girl from Paris.” When the leading man decided to drop out of the opera, Pardoe took his place starring alongside his future wife, who happened to be the lead actress. They were married on June 3, 1914 by David O. McKay. Shortly after the two were married, Earl taught public speaking and drama at then Weber Academy, now Weber State University. Among his accomplishments at this time, Earl staged an open air opera series in Nibley Park in Salt Lake City, and a production of “Aida” at the Orpheum Theater at the University of Utah.
"In 1916, Pardoe was invited to teach summer school at Brigham Young University. During World War II, Earl reunited with former friend Rev. Garver to volunteer as an athletic director and entertainer for the troops. After the war, Earl opened the first Department of Speech at BYU in 1919. At this same time they purchased a home and rented out their basement to BYU students, including future BYU president, Ernest Wilkinson. The first play Pardoe staged at BYU was “Brown of Harvard,” followed by “Strongheart,” “Rolling Stone,” and “It pays to Advertise.” President Brimhall recognized Pardoe’s talent and gave him permission to remodel College Hall and create a better stage for performances. The only problem with this set-up was the stage was up three flights from ground level, and any props and set dressing had to be removed frequently, and stored in a nearby barn. Pardoe also served as BYU’s first tennis coach, receiving no additional pay for his services. During his time over the department of speech Pardoe brought the famous Irish poet, William Butler, and the great American poet, Robert Frost to BYU campus. In 1927, Pardoe and his family moved to Los Angles, California to teach at the Major School of Theater for a much larger salary. However, after the owner did not keep his promises, resigned and started his own studio, and wrote “Pantomimes for Stage and Study.”
"In 1931, a Dr. Harris asked Earl to return to BYU, but he was unable because he was working on his Masters degree at USC. In 1933, after receiving his M. A. in Psychology, Pardoe moved to Louisiana to complete his Doctorate degree, which he completed in 1936. In 1938, Earl traveled to Brussels, Belgium to lecture on Negro Dialects at the International Society of Phonetics. During his post-doctorate career, Pardoe served on the YMMIA General Board from 1940-1950, and wrote four texts on speech and literature [3].
"At the age of 72, Earl returned to BYU to work in the Alumni House, and received his first individual
office. Even until his later years, Earl and his wife took students on tour in Europe, Asia, and the Middle
East. He also served as the vice-president of the National Sons of the American Revolution, Chairman of the
National Oratorial Contest, and was nominated “Man of the Year” by the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. He passed
away November 2, 1969 in the arms of his beloved Kathryn.
Photographs
Dr. T. Earl Pardoe, Age 60
Family picture taken Easter 1939. (L to R: Thomas Earl Jr., Norma, T. Earl, David, Kathryn, William Edward, Cathern)
References
- Kathryn B. Pardoe, Family History of T. Earl and Kathryn B. Pardoe, L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah[4].
