Walter, William Henry

Composer

b Newark, New Jersey, USA 1825, d New York, 1893. As a boy he played the organ at both the Presbyterian and the Grace Episcopal (Anglican) churches in Newark; and became organist for a time at both. These were followed by similar positions at the Ch of the Epiphany and of 3 chapels in New York City: St John’s, St Paul’s, and Trinity until 1869. Received an Hon DMus (1864) from Columbia Univ, which appointed him its organist the following year. He wrote a Manual of Church Music (1860), and compiled Chorals Ancient and Modern, chiefly from the German (1862) and The Common Prayer, with Ritual Song (1868), as well as several anthems and service settings. His hymn tunes were in print in the USA at least by 1894; 3 of them feature in N American books including Worship and Rejoice (2001), and one in the 1965 Anglican Hymn Book. No.391.