Luthier Paul Childs has Died, Aged 77

Childs was an expert on old French bows, and published important research on makers including François Tourte

The luthier Paul Childs, who was a particular expert on bow-making and the Tourte bow, has passed away at the age of 77.

Born in 1947 and originally from Oklahoma, Childs arrived in New York in the 1960s, where he studied for a degree in violin performance at the Manhattan School of Music. He quickly became interested in the history of bows at a time when this topic was not yet well understood.

He made several original contributions to the field, and notably was the first person to argue that certain bows by Dominique Peccatte were made with original frogs by Nicolas Maire.

Childs also made significant contributions to research through his published books, beginning with The Bowmakers of the Peccatte Family (1996) and continuing through Jean Pierre Marie Persoit: His Life and Work (2003).

His most recent and possibly most significant contribution to research on old French bows was the book TOURTE, a 200-page examination of the revolutionary bow-maker François Tourte. The book features high-definition images of 92 different bows, as well as a number of important documents that had never been published.

"I have worked with Paul for many years," said Eric Benning of Benning Violins. "I had a great deal of admiration and respect for his knowledge, expertise and insights. He was a kind, classy man whose untimely passing has left a large hole in the fabric of bow knowledge and certification. Paul will be greatly missed."

Mr. Childs is survived by his wife Bérit and his son Karl. Our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.