John Stainer

Sir John Stainer (1840–1901) was an English organist, composer, teacher, and music scholar whose career was deeply connected with Anglican cathedral and university music. Born in London, he entered the choir of St Paul's Cathedral as a boy and developed early skill as an organist. He later served as organist at St Michael's College, Tenbury, and at Magdalen College, Oxford, while pursuing musical study at the university.

In 1872 Stainer became organist of St Paul's Cathedral, where he worked to improve the training, discipline, and musical standards of the choir. He also taught at the Royal College of Music and, after failing eyesight led him to leave St Paul's, became professor of music at Oxford. His interests extended beyond composition to scholarship: he wrote on organ playing and musical theory and studied early music as well as the music of the Bible.

Stainer composed services, anthems, hymn tunes, and larger sacred works. His Passion meditation The Crucifixion (1887) remained especially well known, while his collections and editorial work influenced church and Christmas music. More than 150 hymn tunes are attributed to him, reflecting his substantial contribution to Victorian English church music.