George Holdich

George Maydwell Holdich (14 August 1816 – 30 July 1896) was a British organist and organ builder based in London.[1]

Early Life and work


He was born on 14 August 1816, the third son of the Revd. Thomas Holdich (Vicar of St Mary the Virgin's Church, Maidwell) and his second wife Elizabeth Laura Maydwell. Col Sir Thomas Holdich, President of the Royal Geographical Society, was his nephew.

He was educated at Uppingham School and Cambridge University, but left to obtain an apprenticeship to the organ builder James Chapman Bishop. He set up his own business at 12 Greek Street, in the same building as Henry Bevington, and is thought to have built his first organ in 1837. Alfred Hunter was apprenticed to him.[2]

He moved to 4 Judd Place East (renamed 42 Euston Road in 1858) in 1854 and in 1866 to 24 Park Place West, Liverpool Road. He sold this business to Eustace Ingram.[3]

In 1851 he produced an organ which was exhibited at the Great Exhibition. His greatest achievement was the new organ for Lichfield Cathedral in 1861 which had 52 stops.

Lichfield Cathedral Organ, originally built by Holdich in 1861 and rebuilt in 1874 by William Hill and sons[4]

Appointments
  • Organist of St Peter’s Church, Croydon

References
  1. Organa Britannica. Organs in Great Britain 1660 - 1860. James Boeringer. Bucknell University Press. 1989.
  2. "National Pipe Organ Register: Alfred Hunter". Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  3. The Making of the Victorian Organ. Nicholas Thistlethwaite. Cambridge University Press. 1999
  4. Litchfield Cathedral Website accessed 20 February 2019


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