Abstract: Origin of the Pro Arte Quartet; Philanthropic support for the PAQ in the 1940s; Musical careers of the early PAQ members; Impact of World War II on the PAQ; Personnel of the PAQ through the 1950s and 1960s; Rudolph Kolish; The PAQ position in the UW School of Music; PAQ recordings and touring; Teaching activities of the PAQ members; Relations between the PAQ and the School of Music; The retirement of the Blums; The recent history of the quartet; Post-retirement activities.