Simpson, Robert

Composer

b Glasgow 1790, d Greenock, Inverclyde (Renfrewshire) 1832. Brought up to the weaver’s trade, his musical ability led to his becoming Precentor leading the Psalm-singing at the Albion St Congregational Ch, Glasgow, during the pastorate of its hymn-writing minister Ralph Wardlaw. Around 1823 he left his weaving and moved to Greenock on the Firth of Clyde, as Precentor and Session-Clerk of the East Parish Ch of Scotland. He died of cholera at the age of only 41 (Cliff Knight says 52). There remains some doubt about his authorship of the tune normally credited to him. No.611.