James Stimpson (29 February 1820 – 4 October 1886) was a British cathedral organist and

Birmingham City Organist Birmingham City Organist is an appointment made by the City of Birmingham. The purpose of the appointment is to have an organist for civic occasions and who will provide a series of free public organ recitals. Birmingham Town Hall is the traditi ...

Early life

He was born in

Lincoln, England Lincoln () is a cathedral city, a non-metropolitan district, and the county town of Lincolnshire, England. In the 2021 Census, the Lincoln district had a population of 103,813. The 2011 census gave the Lincoln Urban Area, urban area of Lincoln, ...

, on 29 February 1820, the son of William Stimpson and Rebecca Dannett. William was lay vicar of

Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Minster, or the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln and sometimes St Mary's Cathedral, in Lincoln, England, is a Grade I listed cathedral and is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Lincoln. Constructio ...

, who moved to

Durham Cathedral The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, commonly known as Durham Cathedral and home of the Shrine of St Cuthbert, is a cathedral in the city of Durham, County Durham, England. It is the seat of t ...

in 1822, where James became a chorister in 1827. He married Isabella Mary Clarissa Martin, only child of Mrs O. Branbury, and niece of Major Martin of Guernsey on 10 December 1841 in St George's Church, Southwark. She died on 22 February 1868. He married secondly Sarah, daughter of John Herdman of Belfast at Fisherwick Place Church, Belfast on 5 January 1869. They had the following children: *Elizabeth Stimpson (b. 14 January 1870) *Sarah H. Stimpson (b. 1872) *Catherine S.F. Stimpson (b. 1874) *Revd. James Frederick Alexander Stimpson (1875-1936) *Margaret F. Stimpson (b. 1876)

Career

In February 1834, he was articled to Richard Ingham, organist of

Carlisle Cathedral Carlisle Cathedral is a grade-I listed Anglican cathedral in the city of Carlisle, Cumbria, England. It was founded as an Augustinian priory and became a cathedral in 1133. It is also the seat of the Bishop of Carlisle.Tim Tatton-Brown and John ...

; in June 1836 was appointed organist of

St Andrew's Church, Newcastle upon Tyne St Andrew's Church, Newcastle upon Tyne is a Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England. History The church dates from the 12th century, but is mainly of 13th and 14th century constructi ...

; and in June 1841, on Ingham's death, was made organist of Carlisle. In February 1842, he was chosen organist at

Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham Town Hall is a concert hall and venue for popular assemblies opened in 1834 and situated in Victoria Square, Birmingham, England. It is a Grade I listed building. The hall underwent a major renovation between 2002 and 2007. It no ...

and St Paul's Church, Birmingham, and in the following year founded the Festival Choral Society. He continued with the Society until 1855. In 1844, he was instrumental in starting the weekly Monday Evening Concerts. He was organist of

St Martin in the Bull Ring St Martin in the Bull Ring is a Church of England parish church in the city of Birmingham, West Midlands, England. It is the original parish church of Birmingham and stands between the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and the markets. The church is ...

, Birmingham, from 1852 to 1857.

Death

He died in Birmingham on 4 October 1886.British Musical Biography. James D. Brown

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stimpson, James 1820 births 1886 deaths British classical organists British male organists Cathedral organists People from Lincoln, England 19th-century British male musicians Male classical organists 19th-century organists