Richard Davidge Limpus (10 September 1824 – 15 March 1875) was a British

organist An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists. In addition, an organist may accompany congregational h ...

and composer, who is best known for being the founder of the

Royal College of Organists The Royal College of Organists (RCO) is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, with members worldwide. Its role is to promote and advance organ playing and choral music, and it offers music education, training and de ...

Background

Richard Limpus was the son of Richard Limpus, organist of Isleworth Old Church, who died on 1 November 1868. He was a pupil of

Samuel Sebastian Wesley Samuel Sebastian Wesley (14 August 1810 – 19 April 1876) was an English organist and composer. Wesley married Mary Anne Merewether and had 6 children. He is often referred to as S.S. Wesley to avoid confusion with his father Samuel Wesley. Bio ...

. He was briefly appointed as organist of St Andrew Undershaft in 1847, resigning on his appointment as organist to the Philanthropic Society. Two years later he was appointed to St Michael, Cornhill, where he remained for the rest of his life. He founded the College of Organists in 1864, later to become the

. He was secretary to the College of Organists from 1864 to 1875.

Compositions

He was a composer of songs and piano music.

Piano music

*La Belle Eliphalette, mazourka *The Rosa Polka *The British Court Quadrilles

Songs

*The Christmas holly *Speak gently *Sweet Evening Breeze, etc. Four-part song *To ev'ry lovely Lady bright. Four-part song *A Welcome to the Ivy, written by L. E. L

Ballads

*The Falling Dew-drop *Her cheek was pale *Oh! Lady, strike the Harp once more *Violet Time. (begins: "I saw her") *The Bride is away

Religious Music

*The Nicene Creed set to music in G major.

Family

He married in 1848. His wife, who died, London, January 29, 1889, was a concert vocalist. His brother, the Rev. P. Henry Limpus, was some time minor canon of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, and composer of an oratorio, " The Prodigal Son," London, May 10, 1870 ; Songs, etc. He died in 1893. Limpus died at Queen Square, Bloomsbury, on 15 March 1875 and was buried at

West Norwood Cemetery West Norwood Cemetery is a rural cemetery in West Norwood in London, England. It was also known as the South Metropolitan Cemetery. One of the first private landscaped cemeteries in London, it is one of the " Magnificent Seven" cemeteries of ...

Career

There was an incident during his career at St Michael, Cornhill as he was forced to appear at the Mayor's Court, Guildhall concerning non payment of a choir salary as compensation for unfair dismissal. This appeared to stem from an incident where many choir members were dismissed on Christmas Eve 1865Musical Standard, No 87, Vol IV, 30 December 1865 for their inability to attend at a day's notice, a Saturday morning service.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Limpus, Richard 1824 births 1875 deaths English classical organists English classical composers Burials at West Norwood Cemetery 19th-century British composers 19th-century English musicians 19th-century British male musicians 19th-century organists