A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hopkins, Edward John
HOPKINS, Edward John, born in Westminster, June 30, 1818, became in 1826 a chorister of the Chapel Royal under William Hawes. On quitting the choir in 1833 he studied under Thomas Forbes Walmisley. In 1834 he was chosen organist of Mitcham Church, in 38 organist of St. Peter's, Islington, and in 41 of St. Luke's, Berwick Street. In 43 he was appointed organist of the Temple Church, the musical service of which under his care has acquired great reputation. As an accompanyist he is quite unrivalled. Hopkins has composed several church services, anthems, chants, and psalm tunes. His anthems, 'Out of the deep,' and 'God is gone up,' obtained the Gresham prize medals in 1838 and 1840 respectively. He is also composer of 'May day' (duet) and 'Welcome' (trio), and author of 'The Organ, its History and Construction,' an excellent treatise published in conjunction with Dr. Rimbault's 'History of the Organ' in 1855; 2nd edit. 1870; 3rd edit. 1877. He edited Bonnet's 'Madrigals,' and Weelkes' 'First Set of Madrigals' for the Musical Antiquarian Society, and the music portion of 'The Temple Church Choral Service.'
John Hopkins, his younger brother, born in Westminster in 1822, was a chorister of St. Paul's from Sept. 1831 to Sept. 1838. In August 1838 (before quitting the choir) he was appointed to succeed his brother as organist of Mitcham Church. He afterwards became successively organist of St. Stephen's, Islington, June 1839; St. Benet's, Paul's Wharf, July 1841; Trinity Church, Islington, May 1843; St. Mark's, Jersey, Feb. 1845; St. Michael's, Chester Square, 1846; and Epsom Church, Jan. 1854. In May 1856 he succeeded his cousin, John Larkin Hopkins, as organist of Rochester Cathedral, which he still holds. John Hopkins has composed services, anthems, chants, hymn tunes, voluntaries, pianoforte sketches, songs and part-songs, a few of which have been published.
His cousin, John Larkin Hopkins, Mus. Doc., born in Westminster in 1820 [App. p.679 "Nov. 25, 1819"], was a chorister of Westminster Abbey under James Turle. In 1841 he succeeded Ralph Banks as organist of Rochester. In 1842 he graduated Mus. Bac. at Cambridge. In 1856 he removed to Cambridge on being appointed organist to Trinity College and to the University. He proceeded Mus. Doc. in 1867. Hopkins composed many services and anthems, and published a collection of his anthems. In 1847 he edited, in conjunction with Rev. S. Shepherd, a collection of the Words of Anthems used in Rochester Cathedral. He died at Ventnor, April 25, 1873.