 | Henry J. Gauntlett (1805 - 1876)
Henry John Gauntlett (July 9, 1805 in Wellington, Shropshire? February 21, 1876) was an organist and songwriter known in British music circles for his authorship of a large number of hymns and other pieces for the organ.
He became the organist at his father's church at Olney, Buckinghamshire at the age of nine.
He was intended for a career in law and remained a lawyer until he was almost forty years of age, when he abandoned the profession and devoted himself to music. He was organist at a number of leading London churches and eventually the degree of Mus. Doc. was conferred on him by the Archbishop of Canterbury, he being the first to receive such a degree from that quarter for over 200 years. He did much to raise the standard of church music both mechanically and musically.
In 1852, he patented an 'electrical-action apparatus' for organs. He wrote much music and over 1,000 hymn tunes, and edited a large number of hymn books. His most famous tune is 'Irby', the tune to which the children's carol, 'Once in Royal David's City' is usually sung.
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