Edward Hopkins

Dr. Edward John Hopkins FRCO (30 June 1818 - 4 February 1901) was an English organist and composer. The organist and composer John Larkin Hopkins was his cousin.

Life He was born on 30 June 1818 in Westminster. He was the eldest son of George Hopkins, a clarinet player who played with the orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Two of his brothers, John (1822-1900) and Thomas Hopkins (died 1893) also became organists – John at Rochester Cathedral and Thomas at St Saviour's Church, York. His uncle Edward Hopkins (c1778-1860) was also an outstanding clarinettist and bandmaster of the Scots Guards in 1815.

In 1826 he became a chorister of the Chapel Royal under William Hawes and sang at the coronation of King William IV in Westminster Abbey in 1830. At the same time, he sang in the choir of St Paul's Cathedral, having to manage his double schedule with great dexterity. On Sunday evenings, he would play the outgoing voluntary for his organ teacher Thomas Forbes Walmisley, the father of Thomas Attwood Walmisley, at St Martin's-in-the-Fields. Islington and in 1841, he became organist at St Luke's, Berwick St, Soho (demolished 1936). He held that position for two years before becoming organist at Temple Church (succeeding George Warne) which held a historic organ built in 1683 under the auspices of the Benchers. He held this position for many years. In 1882 he received an honorary Doctorate in Music from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Appointments Organist in Mitcham Parish Church, Surrey 1834 - 1838 Organist of St Peter's Church, Islington 1838 - 1841 Organist of St Luke's Church, Berwick Street, London 1841 - 1843 Organist of Temple Church 1843 - 1898

Compositions He composed over 30 hymn tunes, and some psalm chants, which are widely used in the Church of England to this day.