A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Stewart, Robert
STEWART, Sir Robert Prescott, Knight, Mus. Doc., sou of Charles Frederick Stewart, librarian of the King's Inns, Dublin, was born in Dublin, Dec. 16, 1825. He was educated as a chorister of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, of which he was appointed organist at the early age of 18. In 1844 he was appointed organist of Trinity College, Dublin. In 1846 he became conductor of the University of Dublin Choral Society, the members of which defrayed the expenses of the performance of his music for degrees of Mus. Bac. und Mus. Doc., which took place in 1851, besides presenting him with his graduate's robes and a jewelled baton. In 1852 he became a vicar-choral of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and in 1861 was appointed Professor of Music in the University of Dublin. For the great Peace Festival held at Boston in America, in 1872, he composed a fantasia on Irish airs for orchestra, organ, and chorus. On this occasion he received knighthood from the Lord Lieutenant (Earl Spencer). In 1873 he was appointed conductor of the Dublin Philharmonic. Amongst Sir Robert Stewart's many compositions, his glees deserve particular mention. In this branch of his art he has won numerous prizes and well-merited renown. His more important works include an ode for the opening of the Cork Exhibition of 1852; 'Ode on Shakespeare,' produced at the Birmingham Festival 1870; a 'Church Hymnal,' which has passed through three editions; and two Cantatas, 'A Winter Night's Wake' and 'The Eve of S. John.'
Sir Robert Stewart enjoys a high reputation as an organist; his playing at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and at that of Manchester in 1857 excited general admiration. As occupant of the Dublin chair of music, his excellent lectures and writings on music bear evidence to his wide culture and literary skill, as well as to his high musical attainments. His musical memory is remarkable. [See Appendix.]