Matthews, Timothy Richard

Composer

b Colmworth Rectory, Beds 1826, d Tetney, Louth, Lincs 1910. Bedford Grammar Sch and Gonville and Caius Coll Cambridge; studied music under the composer G J Elvey qv, ordained in the CofE. He was a private tutor at Windsor before moving to St Mary’s Nottingham as curate, later becoming its rector and founding a local Working Men’s Institute. In 1869 he was appointed to the benefice of North Coates (later, Cotes) nr Grimsby, Lincs, the parish after which his best-known tune is named. Starting from a low base he built up the congregation considerably, while continuing his musical interests. He is said to have worked quickly in composition, writing some 100 hymn-tunes, 4 of which appear in CH (2 used more than once). Bishop W W How (qv) once asked him for 6 tunes for The Children’s Hymn Book; Matthews allegedly obliged within 24 hours. Among many tune-books he compiled 76 Congregational Melodies in 1862, the North Coates Supplemental Tune Book in 1878, and in 1877 edited The Village Organist (1st Series). He was also a lover of trees, gardens and gardening. Retiring to Tetney in 1908, he spent his remaining 2 years there with his son, also a parish incumbent. Nos.151, 228=708, 400, 561=653.