James Stimpson
{{Short description|British organist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
James Stimpson (29 February 1820 – 4 October 1886) was a British cathedral organist and Birmingham City Organist.A Dictionary of Music and Musicians
Early life
He was born in Lincoln, England, on 29 February 1820, the son of William Stimpson and Rebecca Dannett. William was lay vicar of Lincoln Cathedral, who moved to Durham Cathedral in 1822, where James became a chorister in 1827.
He married Isabella Mary Clarissa Martin, only child of Mrs O. Branbury, and niece of Major Martin of Guernsey on 10 December 1841 in St George's Church, Southwark.{{cite news |author= |title=Marriages | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000950/18411221/054/0003 |newspaper=Cumberland Pacquet and Ware’s Whitehaven Advertiser |location=England |date=21 December 1841 |access-date=9 January 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} She died on 22 February 1868.{{cite news |author= |title=Deaths | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000224/18680229/103/0005 |newspaper=Birmingham Journal |location=England |date=29 February 1868 |access-date=9 January 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
He married secondly Sarah, daughter of John Herdman of Belfast at Fisherwick Place Church, Belfast on 5 January 1869.{{cite news |author= |title=Marriages | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000224/18690109/139/0005 |newspaper=Birmingham Journal |location=England |date=9 January 1869 |access-date=9 January 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} They had the following children:
- Elizabeth Stimpson (b. 14 January 1870){{cite news |author= |title=Deaths | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000196/18700122/215/0005 |newspaper=Aris’s Birmingham Gazette |location=England |date=22 January 1870 |access-date=9 January 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
- Sarah H. Stimpson (b. 1872)
- Catherine S.F. Stimpson (b. 1874)
- Revd. James Frederick Alexander Stimpson (1875-1936)
- Margaret F. Stimpson (b. 1876)
Career
In February 1834, he was articled to Richard Ingham, organist of Carlisle Cathedral; in June 1836 was appointed organist of St Andrew's Church, Newcastle upon Tyne;{{cite news |author= |title=Mr James Stimpson | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000612/18360715/025/0003 |newspaper=Durham County Advertiser|location=England |date=15 July 1836 |access-date=9 January 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} and in June 1841, on Ingham's death, was made organist of Carlisle.
In February 1842, he was chosen organist at Birmingham Town Hall{{cite news |author= |title=Mr. Stimpson | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000363/18420226/004/0003 |newspaper=Carlisle Journal |location=England |date=26 February 1842 |access-date=9 January 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} and St Paul's Church, Birmingham, and in the following year founded the Festival Choral Society.Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham. Walter Showell He continued with the Society until 1855.
In 1844, he was instrumental in starting the weekly Monday Evening Concerts.
He was organist of St Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham, from 1852 to 1857.
Death
He died in Birmingham on 4 October 1886.British Musical Biography. James D. Brown
References
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Category:British classical organists
Category:British cathedral organists
Category:Musicians from Lincoln, England
Category:19th-century British male musicians