Edward Simms (10 February 1800 - 15 January 1893) was an English organist and composer.

Background

He was the son of Edward Simms and born at Oldswinford, Worcestershire. He studied organ from an early age with his uncles at Stourbridge, and when ten assisted his uncle James Simms at Bromsgrove Parish Church. He went to London in 1810, and studied under Thomas Adams, and Friedrich Kalkbrenner.

Edward Simms

In Coventry he established the Coventry Choral Society around 1836. He had many pupils of distinction, including the novelist George Eliot, and it is to him that reference is made in Middlemarch, as the teacher of Rosamond Vincy. He composed numerous pieces, but published very little.

Edward Simms

He died in Coventry on 15 January 1893.

Edward Simms

Appointments

Organist of Wombourne Parish Church, Wolverhampton 1813

Organist of Holy Trinity Church, Coventry 1821 – 1822

Organist in Birmingham 1822 – 1825

Organist of St John the Baptist Church, Coventry 1825 – 1828

Organist of St. Michael’s Church, Coventry 1828 - 1886

Compositions

He composed numerous pieces, but not many were published.

References

1800 births

1893 deaths

English organists

British male organists

English composers

19th-century British composers

19th-century English musicians

19th-century British male musicians

19th-century organists