150 Years of the (Royal) College of Organists

The College of Organists was established in 1864, the result of an idea by Richard Limpus, organist of St Michael's, Cornhill in the City of London. His idea to form a body for the purpose of 'elevating and advancing our professional status' was enthusiastically welcomed by his colleagues, who elected Limpus as their first Secretary. It was always Limpus's intention to obtain a Royal Charter, an ambition achieved in 1893 by his successor, Edmund Turpin. Over the following decades the College concentrated on the work of raising standards in the profession by developing and administering the College examinations, as well…