John Erskine was an American educator, author, pianist, and composer. He was an English professor at Amherst College from 1903 to 1909, then Columbia University from 1909 to 1937, ...view moreJohn Erskine was an American educator, author, pianist, and composer. He was an English professor at Amherst College from 1903 to 1909, then Columbia University from 1909 to 1937, as well as the first president of the Juilliard School.view less