Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hopkins, John Larkin

1396529Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 27 — Hopkins, John Larkin1891Robert Farquharson Sharp

HOPKINS, JOHN LARKIN (1819–1873), organist and composer, born in Westminster on 25 Nov. 1819, sang for several years as chorister boy in the abbey, James Turle being then organist and master of the choristers. After leaving the abbey choir Hopkins devoted himself to the study of music, and particularly of the organ, with such success that in 1841, at the age of twenty-two, he was chosen to succeed Ralph Banks as organist of Rochester Cathedral. In 1842 he took the degree of Mus. Bac. at Cambridge, and in 1856 was elected organist to Trinity College, whereupon he resigned his appointment at Rochester, and took up his residence at Cambridge. He proceeded to the degree of Mus. Doc. in 1857. He died at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, on 25 April 1873.

His compositions include ‘Five Glees and a Madrigal,’ London, 1842; cathedral services in C flat and E flat, London, 1857; a collection of anthems [1845?]; and several other services, anthems, songs, glees, and carols. He was the author of ‘A New Vocal Tutor,’ London, 1855, and published in 1847, with the Rev. S. Shepherd, a collection of words of anthems used in Rochester Cathedral.

[Grove's Dict. of Music, i. 747; Brown's Biog. Dict. of Music, p. 331; Cat. of Music in Brit. Mus.]

R. F. S.