VAN HEUSEN, JAMES
(1913–1990)
VAN HEUSEN, JAMES (JIMMY) (born Edward Chester Babcock) (26 January 1913–6 February 1990) James van Heusen was born in Syracuse, New York, and educated at Casenovia College and Syracuse University. He showed a keen interest in music, playing the piano and attempting to write songs in high school. At the age of sixteen he started work as a radio announcer on station WSYR, Syracuse, where he changed his name for professional purposes from Babcock to Van Heusen. HAROLD ARLEN brought Van Heusen to…