A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Brinsmead

BRINSMEAD. Mr. John Brinsmead, the founder and head of the firm of pianoforte-makers, John Brinsmead & Sons, of London, was born Oct. 13, 1814, at Wear Giffard, in North Devon. He began business at 35 Windmill Street, Tottenham Court Road, in 1836, removing to the neighbouring Charlotte Street, and to workshops in Chenies Street in 1841. The next removal was to the present warehouse of the firm, 18 & 20 Wigmore Street, in 1863, when his sons, Thomas and Edgar, were taken into partnership. A large factory, necessary for the requirements of manufacture, was built in the Grafton Road, Kentish Town. In recognition of exhibits in the Paris Exhibition of 1878, Mr. John Brinsmead was decorated by the French Government with the cross of the Legion of Honour. Mr. Edgar Brinsmead, the younger son, has claims to special reference on literary grounds; his History of the Pianoforte, with prefatory historical introduction, was published by Cassell, Petter & Galpin in 1868, and, partly rewritten, with additions on the Theory of Sound, was republished by Novello, Ewer & Co. in 1879.

[ A. J. H. ]