Edward Henry Thorne, F.R.C.O. was born in Dorset in 1834. He learned music under George Elvey at Chapel Royal. He became Organist of Henley Parish Church at the age of 19. Thorne's period at Chichester Cathedral included the reopening of the Cathedralwith its rebuilt spire and crossing; his anthem, 'I Was Glad', was composed for the special service which marked that occasion. In 1870, he moved to St Patrick's Church, Hove, and was later at several London churches, notably St Anne's Church, Soho, where he carried on the revival of
Bach's music instigated by
Joseph Barnby. He was also a composer (an overture of his was performed at an 1885 Promenade Concert) and a number of his hymn tunes were included in Hymns Ancient and Modern. He died in 1916.
