Thomas Attwood Walmisley

He was born in London, the son of Thomas Forbes Gerrard Walmisley (1783–1866), a well-known organist and composer of church music and glees. Thomas Attwood was his godfather, and the boy was educated in music under their tuition.[1]

Walmisley was organist of Croydon Parish Church in 1830 before becoming organist at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1833, and there he soon became prominent by his anthems and other compositions.[1] He was simultaneously organist for the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge. He not only took the degrees of Mus.Bac. and Mus.Doc. but also graduated at Jesus College as BA and MA.[2]

In 1836, Walmisley was made Professor of Music at Cambridge. His Cathedral Music was edited after his death by his father.[1]

Walmisley died in 1856 and is buried in the churchyard of St Andrew's Church, Fairlight, East Sussex.

Walmisley is remembered chiefly for his Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in D minor, which have a place in the Anglican choral repertoire. He also composed numerous Anglican chants still in general use.

• Legge, Robin Humphrey (1899). "Walmisley, Thomas Attwood" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 59. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
• Horton, Peter. "Walmisley, Thomas Attwood (1814–1856)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/28588. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

• Free scores by Thomas Attwood Walmisley in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• Free scores by Thomas Attwood Walmisley at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)