Pole, William

1814-1900

English amateur composer, organist and writer of considerable note; born at Birmingham. Although by profession a civil engineer, he held the post of organist at St. Mark's, London, from 1836 to 1866. In 1860 he took the degree of Bachelor of Music from Oxford, and in 1867 the Doctor's degree. From 1878 to 1890 he was examiner of musical degrees in London University. His compositions are few, a Cantata on the hundredth psalm; some organ-music; and four-hand piano accompaniments to classical songs. He has written many excellent articles for musical and other periodicals, and a report on the musical instruments in the Exhibition of 1851. His most valuable works are the Philosophy of Music, and the Story of Mozart's Requiem.