Biography.guide
Home › People › Composer › Robert Brydges Addison
Portrait of Robert Brydges Addison

Robert Brydges Addison

1854 – 1920

British composer and music teacher

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Robert Brydges Addison

Lived 1854 – 1920 (aged 65). Robert Brydges Addison was a British composer, choir director and music educator.

Robert Brydges Addison (16 August 1854 – 8 July 1920) was an English composer, choirmaster and teacher.

Born in Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire, Addison was the son of clergyman William Fountaine Addison (1817-1893) - who had been Canon of Gibraltar Cathedral. He trained at the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with George Alexander Macfarren. Following four years as sub-professor to Macfarren Addison was appointed professor of harmony and composition at the academy, a position he held between 1882 and 1892. From 1892 he taught at Trinity College London.

His compositions include a Concert Allegro in G, the cantata A Vision (1880), the motet Save Me, O Lord, the anthem They that sow in tears, a Piano Sonata in A minor, and the Andante and Variations for piano. There are also many songs, including Rise! For the Day is Passing, which was performed at the BBC Proms in 1914, and several albums for children. While at the academy he composed a Symphony in G minor, of which two movements were performed on 15 December 1881. His brother was the Oxfordshire painter William Grylls Addison (1853-1904).

List of works Orchestral Symphony in G minor (1881) Concert allegro in G major, for orchestra

Instrumental Piano Sonata in A minor Andante and Variations for piano

Choral A Vision, cantata for choir and orchestra (1880) Quiet Hours. Trio for female voices (1886) They that sow in tears, Psalm 126 (1889) Save me O Lord, motet

Songs Under the sea (1876) Weariness (1876) The days are cold, lullaby (1879) Always (1880) Wandering wishes (1881) Two doves (1882, pub. Stanley Lucas Weber & Co), dedicated to 'Miss Minna Vivian' A dream of long ago (1883) Children's Voices, album for children (1884) Love in a boat (1886) The early bird (1886) While we dream (1886) Under the snow, with cello accompaniment (1885-1887) Please Sing me a Song, album for children (1887) Do I love thee? O rushing wind (1887) Resemblance (1887) Thy roses (1887) Violets (1887) The sweetest hour (1887) First come... (The early bird) (1887) Brightness (1888) The dew is sweet to the lily (1888) A winter song (1888) In quiet sleep (1889) My heart's desire (1889) From a child's hand (1890) My love for thee (1891) O rushing wind (1891) Don't cry (1892) A summer morn (1893) Rise! for the day is passing (1901) When summer comes again (1906) Bright be the place of thy soul

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

People in Robert Brydges Addison's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Brydges Addison's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Brydges Addison?

British composer and music teacher

When was Robert Brydges Addison born?

Robert Brydges Addison was born on 16 August 1854 in Dorchester.

When did Robert Brydges Addison die?

Robert Brydges Addison died on 8 July 1920 in Cranbrook.

What was Robert Brydges Addison's occupation?

Robert Brydges Addison was a composer, choir director and music educator.

What nationality was Robert Brydges Addison?

Robert Brydges Addison was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Brydges Addison

· Wikidata: Q49607745

· DBpedia: Robert Brydges Addison

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Brydges Addison. https://biography.guide/robert-brydges-addison/

MLA: "Robert Brydges Addison." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-brydges-addison/.

Chicago: "Robert Brydges Addison." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-brydges-addison/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:10 UTC