Herbert Oakeley
Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley (22 July 1830 – 26 October 1903) was an English composer, best known for his role as Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to his appointment to this role in 1865 he established his reputation as an organist, composer, and musician. During his tenure at the University of Edinburgh he founded a number of university musical societies across Scotland, most notably the Edinburgh University Music Society, and successfully resolved the university's Reid School of Music into a Faculty able to award degrees to its graduates.
Also recorded as Sir Herbert Oakeley · Herbert Stanley Oakeley · Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley
Herbert Oakeley
- Born
- 1830 · London Borough of Ealing.
- Died
- 1903 · Eastbourne.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Occupation
- composer · organist · university teacher
- Fields
- music
- Languages
- English
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Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley (22 July 1830 – 26 October 1903) was an English composer, best known for his role as Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to his appointment to this role in 1865 he established his reputation as an organist, composer, and musician. During his tenure at the University of Edinburgh he founded a number of university musical societies across Scotland, most notably the Edinburgh University Music Society, and successfully resolved the university's Reid School of Music into a Faculty able to award degrees to its graduates.
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In this article
Life
Life
He socialized with and mentored contralto, composer, and festival organizer Mary Augusta Wakefield.
He was born at Ealing Vicarage, St Mary's Road on 22 July 1830. He was second son of Sir Herbert Oakeley, 3rd Baronet. He was educated at Rugby and at Christ Church, Oxford, he graduated B.A. in 1853 and proceeded M.A. studies in 1856. He studied with Stephen Elvey. In 1865, he was elected Reid Professor of Music at Edinburgh University. From 1866 to 1892 he was the Honorary President of Edinburgh Choral Union (later Edinburgh Royal Choral Union). He was knighted in 1876, and in 1881 was appointed "Composer of Music to Queen Victoria in Scotland". In June 1901, he received an honorary doctorate (LL.D) from the University of Glasgow during celebrations for the university's 450th jubilee. He retired from his professorship in 1891. His address in Eastbourne was 53, Grand Parade, where he died unmarried on 26 October 1903.
Music
Music
As a composer, Oakeley mostly produced church music, including anthems, hymn tunes (most notable 'Edina' and 'Abends,') and settings of the morning and evening service. His Jubilee Cantata was written for the Cheltenham Festival in 1887. His orchestral works include the Edinburgh March and the Suite in Olden Style. Oakeley also produced songs, a piano sonata and preludes and fugues for organ.
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London Borough of Ealing.
Birth place
Eastbourne.
Death place
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reference work
- “Herbert Oakeley”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q5735173: Herbert Oakeley
General reference · Wikidata
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General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 19 August 2026.
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