Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Dallam, Ralph
DALLAM, RALPH (d. 1672), organ-builder, was probably a son of Thomas, and brother of Robert Dallam [q. v.] He built organs at Rugby, Hackney (in 1665), and Lynn Regis, and, according to Hawkins, built a small organ in the Music School, Oxford, for which he received 48l., ‘abating 10l. for the materials of the old organ,’ though it seems likely that this was the work of his more celebrated brother (?) Robert. At the Restoration he was employed to build an organ for St. George's Chapel, Windsor, but this proved so unsatisfactory that, ‘though a beautiful structure,’ it was replaced by one by Bernhardt Schmidt (‘Father Smith’). Dallam's organ is traditionally said to have been moved to St. Peter's, St. Albans, where there is still a very old instrument which may be partly his. In February 1672 Dallam and his partner, James White, began to build an organ in Greenwich parish church. He died while this work was still in progress, and White put up a stone to his memory at the west end of the south aisle in the following year.
[Authorities as under Dallam, Thomas and Robert; Strype's Appendix to Stow, ed. 1720, p. 93; information from the Rev. H. N. Dudding.]