Herbert Howells

HOWELLS, Herbert Norman. b. Lydney, Gloucestershire, 17 October 1892; d. Putney, London, 23 February 1983. Howells was an articled student (with Ivor Gurney and Ivor Novello) of Herbert Brewer at Gloucester Cathedral (1909-12) and went on to study with Stanford* and Charles Wood* at the Royal College of Music (1912-17). He joined the teaching staff of the RCM in 1920 and taught there until 1979. Succeeding Gustav Holst*, he was also director of music at St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith (1936-62) and, during Robin Orr’s absence on active service during World War II, he acted as organist at St John’s College, Cambridge. He was elected to an honorary fellowship there in 1966. A good deal...