Monk, Edwin George

1819-1900

Organist and composer of church music; born at Frome, Somersetshire, England. His father was his first teacher, but later he studied piano with Henry Field, and organ with George Field. He went to London where he studied vocal music in Hullah's classes and solo with Henry Philips. In England he held several appointments under G. A. Macfarren as organist and in 1844 he went to Ireland to become organist and musicmaster in the newly organized College of St. Colomba. In 1847 he settled in Oxford, where he was one of the founders of the University Motet and Madrigal Society. In 1848 he graduated as Bachelor of Music at Oxford and was made lay precentor, organist and musicmaster of the new College of St. Peter's at Radley. In 1856 he received his degree of Doctor of Music, and in 1859 he became choirmaster and organist at York Cathedral, succeeding Dr. Camidge. He died at Radley. His compositions consist of a Veni Creator Spiritus, Anthems and a Service. With Rev. R. C. Singleton he edited the Anglican Chant Book; the Anglican Choral Service Book; the Anglican Hymn Book; and with Sir F. A. G. Ousley, The Psalter and Canticles and Anglican Psalter Chants. He compiled the librettos of Sir George Macfarren's Oratorios, John the Baptist, Joseph, and The Resurrection. He is also well known as an astronomer, and in 1871 became a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.