Hodges family

Biographical Notes

Edward Hodges

Organist, composer and writer Edward Hodges was born in Bristol, England in 1796 and acquired a MusD from Cambridge in 1825. After a very brief tenure as organist at St. James's Cathedral in Toronto, Hodges accepted in 1839 a similar position at Trinity Church in New York City. At Trinity Parish, he was successful in establishing an English cathedral-style music program--an approach to church music which had far-reaching consequences and continues to be in evidence at mainline Protestant churches in this country to the present day. His musical compositions are devoted almost exclusively to the church, as are his writings on the study and performance of music. As a collector, Hodges evidenced an interest in antiquarian music materials that was unrivalled by any of his contemporaries in this country at the time. In addition to his standing as an important 19th-century church musician and composer, Hodges' remarkable music collection warrants his being accorded an important place in the history of music in America.

Hodges Family Chronology

• 1796 July 20: Edward Hodges is born in Bristol, England.
• 1818: Edward marries Margaret Robinson.
• 1823: Daughter, Faustina Hasse Hodges, is born.
• 1825: Edward Hodges receives Doctor of Music degree from Cambridge University.
• 1830: Son, John Sebastian Bach Hodges, is born.
• 1835: Edward is unsuccessful in obtaining positions at Gloucester, Exeter, Hereford Cathedrals and St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Margaret Hodges dies.
• 1838: Edward begins brief tenure as organist at St. James Cathedral, Toronto.
• 1839: Edward accepts position as organist of Trinity Church, New York City.
• 1842: Edward acts as pianist and organist for newly formed New York Philharmonic.
• 1846: Edward composes Morning Service for consecration of new Trinity Church building, and designs Erben organ.
• 1852: Faustina is professor of organ, piano, and singing at the Troy Female Seminary.
• 1854: Edward suffers paralysis attack; John Sebastian Bach Hodges deputizes at Trinity.
• 1859: Edward resigns post at Trinity Church and goes to England.
• 1861: Edward returns to New York. Sarah Moore, second wife, dies.
• 1864: Trinity Collection of Church Music is published.
• 1867 Sept. 1: Edward dies in England.
• 1895 Feb. 4: Faustina dies at Philadelphia.
• 1896: Edward Hodges, by Faustina Hasse Hodges, is published.
• 1915 May 1: John Sebastian Bach Hodges dies at Baltimore.

From the guide to the Hodges Family Collection, circa 1790-circa 1909, (Music Division Library of Congress)