Hipkins , Alfred James , 1826-1903 , musicologist and antiquarian

Born in 1826, Alfred James Hipkins initially worked as a piano tuner for J Broadwood and Sons, piano makers. He went on to write a series of works relating to musical instruments, musicology and composers, some in collaboration with his daughter Edith. His publications included Canter lectures on musical instruments, their construction and capabilities (London, 1891); A comparison of various tuning forks by means of a monochord (London, 1869); A description of the history of the pianoforte and of the older keyboard stringed instruments (London, 1896); Dorian and Phyrgian reconsidered from a non-harmonic point of view (London, 1902); How Chopin played (J M Dent and Sons, London); and Musical instruments: historic, rare and unique (A & C Black, Edinburgh, 1888).