Samuel Simms (1784 – 1868) was an English organist and composer.

Background

He was born in 1784, the son of John Simms (1744 - 1824) and his wife, Latitia Rogers. Samuel Simms was esteemed one of the finest organists of his time, and many of his siblings held musical posts in the Midlands. In 1805 he was a candidate for the post of organist at St. Alkmund's Church,

Whitchurch, Shropshire Whitchurch is a market town in the north of Shropshire, England. It lies east of the Welsh border, 2 miles south of the Cheshire border, north of the county town of Shrewsbury, south of Chester, and east of Wrexham. At the 2011 Census, the ...

, but the conditions were so unsatisfactory that only three of those assembled would compete. He finally settled at St Thomas’ Church, Stourbridge, and held the position for half a century until his death. In 1863 there was an attempt to force him to resign on a pension of £15 (equivalent to £ in ) per annum, at the instigation of the either the minister or some of the congregation. The exact complaint against him is not substantiated, but suggested to be related to the performance of his duties. He did however, command support from former pupils who rose to his defence.Birmingham Daily Post - Monday 06 July 1863 His son, Samuel Simms (1836-1885) succeeded him at Stourbridge.

Appointments

*Organist of

St Thomas' Church, Stourbridge St Thomas' Church, Stourbridge, is a Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England in Stourbridge. History The church dates from 1726. The chancel was added in 1890 by William Bidlake. List of vicars * Walter Hickman 1736 - 1742 * Char ...

1809 - 1868

Compositions

His compositions included organ and pianoforte pieces.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simms, Samuel 1784 births 1868 deaths English organists British male organists English composers 19th-century English musicians 19th-century British male musicians 19th-century organists