Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Turpin, Edmund Hart
TURPIN, EDMUND HART (1835–1907), organist and musical composer, eldest son of James Turpin, lace manufacturer, of Nottingham, was born there 4 May 1835. The Turpins were descended from an Huguenot family. Edmund's father, an amateur musician, gave him his first lessons, after which he took up organ study with Charles Noble, at St. Mary's church, Nottingham, studying later with John Hullah and Ernst Pauer. In 1847, before he was twelve, he was appointed organist of Friar Lane congregational church, Nottingham. In 1850, at the age of fifteen, he became organist of St. Barnabas Roman catholic cathedral, Nottingham, and retaining that post for fifteen years, brought the music to a degree of excellence hitherto unknown in the Midlands. He was also bandmaster of the Nottingham corps of volunteers known as the 'Robin Hood Rifles.' Meanwhile he was drawn to London, where he gave an organ recital at the Great Exhibition of 1851; though only sixteen, he created a notable impression. Six years later he settled in London, though still maintaining his professional connection with Nottingham. In 1860 he was appointed organist and choir director of the Catholic Apostolic church in Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, a post which he practically, by himself or by deputy, retained till his death. In 1869 he went to St. George's, Bloomsbury, where he remained until his last appointment at St. Bride's, Fleet Street, in 1888.
Turpin was honorary secretary of the Royal College of Organists from 1875 onwards, and rendered splendid service as an administrator and examiner. The college commemorates him by a prize fund instituted in 1911. He received the degree of Mus. Doc. from the archbishop of Canterbury in 1889, and in 1892 was appointed warden of Trinity College of Music, London. Turpin died in London on 25 October 1907. He married (1) in 1867 Sarah Anne, daughter of Robert Watson of Whitemoor, Nottinghamshire, by whom he had a daughter; (2) in 1905 Miss Sarah Hobbs.
Turpin was widely known as an organist, and inaugurated many new organs; he was also a good pianist, and could play most of the orchestral instruments. He was a successful lecturer on musical subjects, and was intimately associated with London musical journalism, editing the 'Musical Standard' from 1880 to 1886, and again from 1889 to 1890. For some years he was co-editor of 'Musical News,' and he had connections also with the 'Musical World' and the 'Academic Gazette.' He edited the 'Student's Edition' of classical pianoforte music (Weekes), with marginal analyses; completed Mr. W. T. Best's edition of Bach's organ works (Augener), and prepared numerous organ arrangements and voluntaries. His own compositions include a Stabat Mater, two oratorios, two cantatas, a symphony, various concert overtures, church music of different kinds, pianoforte music, and about twenty organ pieces.
[Biographical Sketch of Edmund Hart Turpin, by Charles W. Pearce, with bibliography, 1911; Musical Herald, Dec. 1907 (with portrait); Brit. Musical Biog.; Grove's Dict. of Music, 1906, v. 188.]