Henry Stonex Explained

Henry Stonex (18 May 1823 – 10 January 1897) was a composer and organist based in Great Yarmouth.

Life

He was born in Norwich on 18 May 1823 to Rowland Stonex and Mary Bridgman.

He married Mary Tilney Bassett (d. 1882^[1]), daughter of Henry Bassett of Heigham, on 16 January 1851^[2] and had the following children:

• Mary Gertrude Stonex (b. 21 Mar 1852)
• Henry Bassett Stonex (b. 4 Sep 1853, d. 1923)
• Florence Tilney Stonex (b. 1855)
• Canon Francis Stonex (b. 28 Sep 1857)
• Edward Claude Stonex (b. 22 Dec 1858)
• Edith Bassett Stonex (b. 4 Jan 1860)
• Alfred Herbert Stonex (1862 - 1863)^[3]
• Blanche Lillian Stonex (b. 1863)

He studied organ under James Harcourt at St Peter Mancroft, and then was apprenticed to Zechariah Buck at Norwich Cathedral.

Whilst in Great Yarmouth he conducted the Yarmouth Musical Society for many years.

He died in 1897 in Great Yarmouth.

Appointments

• Organist at St. Nicholas' Church, Great Yarmouth, 1850^[4] - 1894^[5]

Compositions

He is best known for his psalm chant^[6] which is still widely used in Anglican churches to this day, and has been recorded frequently.

Notes and References

1. Bury and Norwich Post - Tuesday 12 September 1882
2. Bury and Norwich Post - Wednesday 22 January 1851
3. Norfolk Chronicle - Saturday 23 May 1863
4. Norfolk Chronicle - Saturday 20 July 1850
5. Musical Times, Volume 35, 1894
6. Anglican Chant Psalter, Alex Wyton, 1987