William Ellis

ELLIS, William. b. Tow Law, County Durham, 13 Oct 1868; d. Hexham, Northumberland, 26 Nov 1947. He was a precocious organist, playing in a village chapel at the age of 9, and becoming organist of Old Elvet (Wesleyan) Methodist Church, Durham, at 14. During those years he studied the organ under Philip Armes* at Durham Cathedral, becoming FRCO in 1891 and graduating BMus. from the University of Durham in 1893. He was organist of St Nicholas' Church, Durham (1887-94); organist of Richmond Parish Church, North Riding of Yorkshire, and organist to the Marquess of Zetland nearby (1894-1903); sub-organist of Durham Cathedral (1903-18) and concurrently organist and choirmaster of St Margaret's,...