Palmerston in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Healey Willan (1880-1968)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026

1. Healey Willan (1880-1968) Marker

Inscription. Healey Willan, Canada's first internationally known composer, was born in Balham, Surrey, England, and came to Canada in 1913. He taught at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and became professor of music at the University of Toronto. From 1921 to 1968 he was organist and choirmaster at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, (Anglican), a task he considered his “special job in life". Willan contributed music for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. His numerous works included operas, symphonies, a piano concerto, organ music, masses and motets. His greatest and most enduring works, however, were those he wrote for the church.

Erected 1980 by Toronto Historical Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 43° 39.542′ N, 79° 24.836′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Palmerston. It is at the intersection of Manning Avenue and Ulster Street, on the right when traveling north on Manning Avenue. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 477 Manning Ave, Toronto ON M6G 2Y5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Healey Willan (here, next to this marker); Monsignor (Père) Athol Murray (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Composer John Weinzweig (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Introduction of Multilingual Multicultural Radio Stations in Canada (approx. half a kilometer away); Johnny Lombardi (approx. half a kilometer away); Samuel Richardson (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Grace Bagnato (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Riot at Christie Pits (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . Biography of Healey Willan (Healey Willan Society).

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026

2. Healey Willan (1880-1968) Marker

Centre of photo

In 1913 Willan received an invitation from A.S. Vogt, principal of the Toronto Conservatory of Music (TCM, later Royal Conservatory of Music), offering him the position of head of the theory department, to succeed Humfrey Anger. A friend of Vogt had recommended Willan after hearing him play in London. Years later Willan said that the numbers 3 and 13 had played an important part in his life and, since the invitation arrived on the third day of the third month in 1913 when Willan was 33, he decided to accept it; however, though Celtic mysticism (inherited or assumed) was an important element in his personality, it is likely that the decision was based more on economic necessity than on numerology.

(Submitted on November 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Church of St. Mary Magdalene, 2026 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026

3. Church of St. Mary Magdalene, 2026

1918

4. Healey Willan in 1918

Source: Wikipedia via York University Archives (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.