David Scull Bispham is another of those wise ones who recognized the
call of his career and followed it. Originally intended for a business
life, he found that his vocation was on the operatic stage, and in
spite of the apparently insurmountable obstacles that intervened, he
at length reached the goal of his desires. Mr. Bispham was born in
Philadelphia January 5, 1857, and graduated in 1876 from Haverford
college, a Quaker institution near Philadelphia. When not very much
more than a baby he gave evidence of his musical taste, and when at
college his connection with the glee club developed and fostered his
gifts. Finally, after some years of experience as an amateur, he became
a soloist in Philadelphia churches and in 1884 went to Italy to study
and then appeared in concert in London. In 1892 he was intrusted with
the rôle of “Tristan” at the Covent Garden Opera House, London, taking
the audience of the British metropolis by storm. Since that time he has
sung in all the great cities of the continent and of the United States,
adding to his laurels meantime both as singer and actor. He is almost
unexcelled as an oratorio vocalist, and is an exponent of classical
ballads. Mr. Bispham was married in 1895 to Caroline, daughter of the
late General Charles S. Russell. He is now the principal baritone of
the Covent Garden Opera, London.