Princeton—William H. Scheide, a music scholar and philanthropist who used his fortune to collect rare printed materials, died Friday.
He was 100.
Details about his funeral service were not immediately released.
Mr. Scheide, the son of an executive at Standard Oil, used his inherited wealth to embark on a lifetime of collecting historic documents, including a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Friends remembered his commitment to civil rights including providing money for the legal defense fund in the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case that ended legal segregation in public schools.
He also was remembered for his deep interest and passion in classical music, particularly the work of J.S. Bach.
Through his lifetime, he supported community and educational institutions, including his alma mater, Princeton University, from which he graduated in 1936. He also served on the boards of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and the Westminster Choir College.