Oakeley, Sir Herbert Stanley, 1830-1903

Herbert Stanley Oakeley, b. Ealing, 22 July 1830; d. Eastbourne, 26 October 1903

English composer, organist and conductor
Fifth [Reid] Professor of the Theory of Music at the University of Edinburgh

Professor Sir Herbert Oakeley, Professor 1864-1891.
Portrait by Charles K. Robertson, dated 1884.
(commissioned by Edinburgh University Musical Society)

Closely associated with The Scottish Musical Society

 

Period in office: 
1865-1891
Biography: 

1830 Born 22 July, Ealing
second son of 3rd Baronet, Sir Herbert Oakeley
Educated in London and at Rugby School
Began to compose at the age of nine
1853 Graduated B.A. from Christ Church, Oxford
Studied organ and harmony with Stephen Elvey in Oxford
1855 in Leipzig, studied with Plaidy, Moscheles and Papperitz
In Bonn, studied with H.K.Breidenstein
1856 Graduated M.A. from Christ Church, Oxford
1858 to 1866 Music Critic, The Guardian
In 1863 returned to Germany, studied with Johann Schneider in Dresden, met Franz Lachner in Munich and
travelled to Vienna and Rome where he had a meeting wth Liszt
1865 appointed as the fifth Professor of the Theory of Music at the University of Edinburgh
1866. Inaugural Address - 11 December ('The Scotsman': 12 December, 'Musical Times': 1 January 1867
1867 founded Edinburgh University Musical Society
1872 developed the Annual Reid Concert into a three-day Reid Festival
1871 resident, 1 Hope Terrace, Edinburgh
1871 Mus.Doc Cantuar
1876 knighted by Queen Victoria (at the inauguration of the Scottish National Monumen to the late Prince Consort)
1879 Mus. Doc (honoris causa) Oxon.
1881 appointed Composer to Her Majesty in Scotland
1881 resident, 9 Greenhill Gardens, Edinburgh
1884 Opening address to Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women
1891(April) awarded Hon. LL.D at the University of Edinburgh
1891 Resigned from Reid Chair of Music on grounds of ill-health
1891(May) retired to London
1899 awarded the Honorary Degree of Mus.D. at the University of Edinburgh
1903 Died 26 October, Eastbourne

Concerts in the Reid Series featuring compositions by Herbert Stanley Oakeley