A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Rimbault, Edward

RIMBAULT, Edward Francis, LL.D, son of Stephen Francis Rimbault, organist of St. Giles in the Fields, was born in Soho, June 13, 1816. He received his first instruction in music from his father, but afterwards became a pupil of Samuel Wesley. At 16 years old he was appointed organist of the Swiss Church, Soho. He early directed his attention to the study of musical history and literature, and in 1838 delivered a series of lectures on the history of music in England. In 1840 he took an active part in the formation of the Musical Antiquarian and Percy Societies, of both which he became secretary, and for both which he edited several works. In 1841 he was editor of the musical publications of the Motett Society. In the course of the next few years he edited a collection of Cathedral Chants; The Order of Daily Service according to the use of Westminster Abbey; a reprint of Low's Brief Direction for the performance of Cathedral Service; Tallis's Responses; Merbeck's Book of Common Prayer, noted; a volume of unpublished Cathedral Services; Arnold's Cathedral Music; and the oratorios of 'Messiah,' 'Samson,' and 'Saul,' for the Handel Society. In 1842 he was elected an F.S.A. and member of the Academy of Music in Stockholm, and obtained the degree of Doctor in Philosophy. He was offered, but declined, the appointment of Professor of Music in Harvard University, U.S.A. In 1848 he received the honorary degree of LL.D. He lectured on music at the Collegiate Institution, Liverpool; the Philosophic Institute, Edinburgh; the Royal Institution of Great Britain, and elsewhere. He published 'The History and Construction of the Organ' (in collaboration with Mr. E. J. Hopkins), 'Notices of the Early English Organ Builders'; 'History of the Pianoforte,' 'Bibliotheca Madrigaliana,' 'Musical Illustrations of Percy's Reliques,' 'The Ancient Vocal Music of England,' 'The Rounds, Catches and Canons of England' (in conjunction with Rev. J. P. Metcalfe), two collections of Christmas Carols, 'A Little Book of Songs and Ballads,' etc., etc. He edited North's 'Memoirs of Musick,' Sir Thomas Overbury's Works, the Old Cheque Book of the Chapel Royal, and two Sermons by Boy Bishops. He arranged many operas and other works, was author of many elementary books, and an extensive contributor to periodical literature. His compositions were but few, the principal being an operetta, 'The Fair Maid of Islington.' 1838, and a posthumous cantata, 'Country Life.' His pretty little song, 'Happy land,' had an extensive popularity. After his resignation of the organistship of the Swiss Church, he was successively organist of several churches and chapels. He died, after a lingering illness, Sept. 26, 1876, leaving a fine musical library, which was sold by auction.

[ W. H. H. ]