Richard Limpus
Encyclopedia
Richard Davidge Limpus was an English organist and composer, who is best known for being the founder of the Royal College of Organists
.
He was a pupil of Samuel Sebastian Wesley
. 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 Royal College of Organists
. He was secretary to the College of Organists from 1864 to 1875.
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.
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
.
Background
Richard Limpus was the son of Richard Limpus, organist of Isleworth Old Church, who died on November 1, 1868.He was a pupil of Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Samuel Sebastian Wesley was an English organist and composer.-Biography:Born in London, he was the eldest child in the composer Samuel Wesley's second family, which he formed with Sarah Suter having separated from his wife Charlotte. Samuel Sebastian was the grandson of Charles Wesley...
. He was briefly appointed as organist of St Andrew Undershaft
St Andrew Undershaft
St Andrew Undershaft is a Church of England church located at St Mary Axe, in Aldgate ward of the City of London, near the Lloyd's Building. It is a rare example of a City church that has managed to escape both the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Second World War bombing during the London...
in 1847, resigning on his appointment as organist to the Philanthropic Society
Royal Philanthropic Society
The Royal Philanthropic Society had its origins in the St Paul's Coffee House in London in 1788 where a group of men met to discuss the problems of homeless children who were to be found begging and stealing on the streets. The Society began by opening homes where children were trained in cottage...
. Two years later he was appointed to St Michael, Cornhill
St Michael, Cornhill
St Michael, Cornhill is a medieval parish church in the City of London with pre-Norman Conquest parochial foundation. The medieval structure was lost in the Great Fire of London and the current church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1670-1677....
, where he remained for the rest of his life.
He founded the College of Organists in 1864, later to become the Royal College of Organists
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
. He was secretary to the College of Organists from 1864 to 1875.
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
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.