Renowned Black Baritone Graduated from Butler University's Irvington Campus

    

     On June 15, 1925, Butler University seniors gathered outside under a grove of trees on Irvington's campus to receive their diplomas. Sitting among those hopeful students was Robert Todd Duncan.  He was born in Danville, Kentucky to John and Lettie (Cooper) Duncan on February 12, 1903. Later newspaper accounts noted that his mother named him Robert Todd after Abraham Lincoln's son since he was born on Lincoln's birthday. The family moved to Indianapolis when he was four and he remained in the city until his graduation from Butler University.  His mother was his first music teacher. She taught him how to play the piano beginning at age five. He also happened to be blessed with the most wonderful baritone voice as an adult. His mother, who raised him on Martindale Avenue (later Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue), worked multiple jobs and saved every penny to send him to Butler. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

      His career after Butler is fabled. He earned a Master's degree from Columbia University and started teaching at Howard University. Everything changed when he auditioned for the role of "Porgy" in "Porgy and Bess" in 1935. George Gershwin, the composer of the opera, had auditioned many other singers before hearing Robert Todd Duncan. Gershwin knew immediately that he had found his Porgy. Mr. Duncan went on to sing in many other operas around the world. He sang on television stations at the BBC in the UK and NBC in the US. He never forgot his hometown and he returned frequently, often giving lectures. Sadly, his mother passed away just as career was taking off. He lamented in newspaper articles that he wished she could have seen his success. 

     While much is known about his career, little is known about his time at Butler University. I have been contacted by a researcher who is looking into these early years. If you know of any sources or experts, please send me an email located on the side of this page. If you would like to hear his beautiful voice, click on the link below. 

In 1924, Robert Todd Duncan sat for his photograph for the Butler Drift his junior year. The editors

 of the yearbook placed the three Black students who posed for their shot separate and away from the white students. Robert Todd Duncan was placed as the last student when in reality, he would become the first. No one in that class would achieve such fame. 

In 1924, Robert Todd Duncan sat for his photograph for the Butler Drift his junior year. The editors

Sources:  "Butler Graduates Will Get Degrees Monday Morning," Indianapolis Star, June 13, 1925, p. 2; John K. Shephard, "Ladder to the Stars," Indianapolis Star, February 19, 1950, p. 96; Obituary for Lettia Cambron, Indianapolis Star, April 21, 1935, p. 41. 

  

Robert Todd Duncan singing songs from Porgy and Bess