Arthur Griffin Claypole Explained

Arthur Griffin Claypole (1882–1929) FRCO LTCL was a cathedral organist, who served in Derby Cathedral.^[1]

Background

Arthur Claypole was born in 1882 in Peterborough. He graduated from Durham University as Bachelor of Music in 1902.

He studied organ under Haydn Keeton at Peterborough Cathedral and at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig. He was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists in 1903.

He was Music Master at Kent College in Canterbury from 1904 to 1911.

He then took the post of head teacher at Derby School of Music from 1921-1929.

He was on holiday in Leipzig in 1914 when the First World War broke out, and he was detained until after the Armistice.

Whilst organist of Derby Cathedral he was also conductor of the Derby Orpheus Society.^[2]

He died of coal gas poisoning following a nervous breakdown.^[3]

Career

Assistant Organist of:

• Peterborough Cathedral (1902–1903)

Organist of:

• St. Luke's Church, Derby (1912–1914 and 1918–1921)
• Derby Cathedral (1921–1929)

Notes and References

1. The Succession of Organists. Watkins Shaw
2. Derby Man Found Gassed. Derby Daily Telegraph - Monday 01 July 1929. p.5
3. Former Organist found Dead. Western Morning News. Monday 01 July 1929. p.7.