British Violin Makers: A Biographical Dictionary of British Makers of Stringed Instruments and Bows and a Critical Description of Their Work

Everyone this source names

This document prints 171 names. A name found this way is the weakest thing this site records: the book names the person, and nothing more is said. It is not a line in a record — the lines that actually rest on this source are listed above, each with its own confidence. 155 of the names below reach a record on this site; lines from this source have been written for 30. The rest are names and nothing else — which is an honest description of the evidence, and an invitation: if you know one of these makers, we want to hear from you.

1. Harris' scan page 48, line 3 draft record
2. Spicer, JOHN scan page 288, line 3 draft record
3. Harvey, E VICTOR scan page 336, line 3 draft record
4. Anderson, JOHN scan page 110, line 1 draft record
5. Morrison, ARCHIBALD scan page 252, line 3 draft record
6. Naylor, ISAAC scan page 254, line 3 claim written

   NAYLOR, ISAAC, Headingly, Leeds: 1775-90. A pupil of Richard Duke, many of whose characteristics he reproduced in his work. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

7. Phillipson, EDWARD scan page 276, line 3 draft record
8. Ross, DONALD scan page 282, line 3 draft record
9. Stott, GEORGE T. scan page 290, line 3 draft record
10. Tolmie, G. scan page 299, line 3 draft record
11. Turner, WILLIAM scan page 302, line 3 mention only — no record here yet

    TURNER, WILLIAM, London: c. 1650. A maker of viols. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

12. Gray, JOHN scan page 335, line 3 mention only — no record here yet

    GRAY, JOHN, Sunderland: contemporary. I have not seen any of his work, but it is said to be excellent. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

13. Arnot, DAVID scan page 110, line 5 claim written

    ARNOT, DAVID. Born at Crieff, and worked in Glasgow, where he died in 1897. He made a large number of instruments on various models. He had a shop in Stockwell Street, Glasgow, where he carried on extensive repairing business. Handwritten label. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

14. Fendt, WILLIAM scan page 182, line 5 claim written

    FENDT, WILLIAM, London: 1833-1852. Son of Bernard Simon, and a very clever workman. His violas and double basses were celebrated. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

15. Morrison, JAMES scan page 252, line 5 claim written

    MORRISON, JAMES, Dunfermline: nineteenth century. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

16. Murdoch, ALEXANDER scan page 253, line 5 draft record
17. Newcombe, GEORGE scan page 254, line 5 draft record
18. Pickard, HANDEL scan page 276, line 5 draft record
19. Ross, JOHN scan page 282, line 5 claim written

    ROSS, JOHN, London: c. 1560–1600. A maker of lutes and viols. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

20. Spicer, WILLIAM scan page 288, line 5 draft record
21. Streets, JAMES scan page 290, line 5 draft record
22. Torring, J. scan page 299, line 5 draft record
23. Tuson, ROBERT scan page 302, line 5 claim written

    TUSON, ROBERT, Gravestown: contemporary. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

24. Urquhart, ALEXANDER scan page 305, line 5 claim written

    URQUHART, ALEXANDER, Invergordon: contemporary. An amateur who turns out an occasional violin of good workmanship and tone. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

25. Winram, JAMES scan page 318, line 5 draft record
26. Harvey, EUGENE scan page 336, line 5 draft record
27. Gilchrist, JAMES scan page 199, line 6 claim written

    GILCHRIST, JAMES, Glasgow: 1832-94. An amateur maker who was by trade a philosophical instrument maker. He made eighty-six instruments of every description, of very good workmanship and very fair tone. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

28. Morrison, JOHN scan page 252, line 7 claim written

    MORRISON, JOHN, London: 1760-1827. He worked mostly for the trade. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

29. Murphy, BARTHOLOMEW scan page 253, line 7 draft record
30. Newton, ISAAC scan page 254, line 7 claim written

    NEWTON, ISAAC, London: 1775-1825. He made mostly for the trade, particularly for Betts. Fairly good work. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

31. Pine scan page 276, line 7 draft record
32. Rowley, A. G. scan page 282, line 7 draft record
33. Stanley, ROBERT A. scan page 288, line 7 draft record
34. Strong, JOHN scan page 290, line 7 mention only — no record here yet

    STRONG, JOHN, Somersetshire: c. 1650. An old viol maker, who is thought to have lived somewhere in the neighbourhood of Bristol. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

35. Trimnell, JOSEPH HENRY scan page 299, line 7 claim written

    TRIMNELL, JOSEPH HENRY, Birmingham: 1840-1904. Average ability. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

36. Urquhart, DONALD scan page 305, line 7 draft record
37. Wood, G scan page 318, line 7 draft record
38. Griffiths, A. V. scan page 335, line 7 draft record
39. Hay, JAMES scan page 336, line 7 draft record
40. Askey, SAMUEL scan page 110, line 9 mention only — no record here yet

    ASKEY, SAMUEL. He worked in London about 1800-40. Originally a tinman, he became a pupil of John Morrison, and worked for some time for George Corsby. The work varies in character, but the tone is usually weak and harsh. No label of his is known. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

41. Murphy, JOHN scan page 253, line 9 draft record
42. Nicholas, EDWARD scan page 254, line 9 draft record
43. Plane, WALTER scan page 276, line 9 draft record
44. Ruddiman, JOSEPH scan page 282, line 9 draft record
45. Stephens, G. B. scan page 288, line 9 draft record
46. Strong, MATTHEW scan page 290, line 9 draft record
47. Tringham, HENRY scan page 299, line 9 draft record
48. Urquhart, THOMAS scan page 305, line 9 draft record
49. Wooding, J. T. scan page 318, line 9 draft record
50. Gunter, HENRY scan page 335, line 9 draft record
51. Ferguson, WILLIAM scan page 182, line 11 draft record
52. Murphy, DENNIS scan page 253, line 11 draft record
53. Nicol, THOMAS scan page 254, line 11 claim written

    NICOL, THOMAS, Glasterlaw: 1840 to about 1910. He made about seventy or eighty violins on the models of Stradivari and Guarneri. Careful work. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

54. Powell, ROYAL AND THOMAS scan page 276, line 11 draft record
55. Rylands, JOHN scan page 282, line 11 draft record
56. Sturge, H. scan page 290, line 11 draft record
57. Trotman, WILLIAM scan page 299, line 11 draft record
58. Woodney, H. scan page 318, line 11 draft record
59. Hancock, GEORGE scan page 335, line 11 draft record
60. Ferrier, WILLIAM scan page 182, line 13 draft record
61. Murray, DAVID scan page 253, line 13 draft record
62. Nicolson, JAMES scan page 254, line 13 draft record
63. Preston scan page 276, line 13 draft record
64. Trueman, RICHARD scan page 299, line 13 draft record
65. Vaughan, DAVID ROBERT scan page 305, line 13 draft record
66. Woodward scan page 318, line 13 draft record
67. Findlay, JAMES scan page 182, line 15 draft record
68. Murray, JAMES scan page 253, line 15 draft record
69. Vickers, RICHARD scan page 305, line 15 draft record
70. Worden, JAMES scan page 318, line 15 claim written

    WORDEN, JAMES, Preston: 1839 to about 1908, or a year or two later. He was a descendant of the Wordens of old Worden Hall, and his mother was descended from the — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

71. Gilkes, WILLIAM scan page 199, line 16 claim written

    GILKES, WILLIAM, London: 1811-75. He was a pupil of his father, whom he succeeded in business. He made many double-basses and other instruments, which are of about average merit. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

72. Fingland, S. scan page 182, line 17 draft record
73. Murray, JOHN BROWN scan page 253, line 17 draft record
74. Preston, JOHN scan page 276, line 17 mention only — no record here yet

    PRESTON, JOHN, York: 1780-1800. He was capable of good work, but most of his instruments show carelessness. The tone is often very good. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

75. Girvan, THOMAS scan page 199, line 18 claim written

    GIRVAN, THOMAS, Edinburgh: nineteenth century. Average work. — governing section heading: "VIOLIN AND BOW MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

76. Firth, G. scan page 182, line 19 draft record
77. Myers, CHARLES scan page 253, line 21 draft record
78. Myles, FRANCIS scan page 253, line 23 draft record
79. British, VIOLIN MAKERS scan page 5, line 1 mention only — no record here yet

    BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS — trade term as printed: "VIOLIN MAKERS" — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

80. Anderson, JOHN scan page 110, line 1 draft record
81. Arnot, DAVID scan page 110, line 5 claim written

    ARNOT, DAVID. Born at Crieff, and worked in Glasgow, where he died in 1897. He made a large number of instruments on various models. He had a shop in Stockwell Street, Glasgow, where he carried on extensive repairing business. Handwritten label. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

82. Askey, SAMUEL scan page 110, line 9 mention only — no record here yet

    ASKEY, SAMUEL. He worked in London about 1800-40. Originally a tinman, he became a pupil of John Morrison, and worked for some time for George Corsby. The work varies in character, but the tone is usually weak and harsh. No label of his is known. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

83. Fendt, WILLIAM scan page 182, line 5 claim written

    FENDT, WILLIAM, London: 1833-1852. Son of Bernard Simon, and a very clever workman. His violas and double basses were celebrated. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

84. Ferguson, WILLIAM scan page 182, line 11 draft record
85. Ferrier, WILLIAM scan page 182, line 13 draft record
86. Findlay, JAMES scan page 182, line 15 draft record
87. Fingland, S. scan page 182, line 17 draft record
88. Firth, G. scan page 182, line 19 draft record
89. Gilchrist, JAMES scan page 199, line 6 claim written

    GILCHRIST, JAMES, Glasgow: 1832-94. An amateur maker who was by trade a philosophical instrument maker. He made eighty-six instruments of every description, of very good workmanship and very fair tone. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

90. Gilkes, WILLIAM scan page 199, line 16 claim written

    GILKES, WILLIAM, London: 1811-75. He was a pupil of his father, whom he succeeded in business. He made many double-basses and other instruments, which are of about average merit. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

91. Girvan, THOMAS scan page 199, line 18 claim written

    GIRVAN, THOMAS, Edinburgh: nineteenth century. Average work. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

92. Morrison, ARCHIBALD scan page 252, line 3 draft record
93. Morrison, JAMES scan page 252, line 5 claim written

    MORRISON, JAMES, Dunfermline: nineteenth century. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

94. Morrison, JOHN scan page 252, line 7 claim written

    MORRISON, JOHN, London: 1760-1827. He worked mostly for the trade. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

95. Murdoch, ALEXANDER scan page 253, line 5 draft record
96. Murphy, BARTHOLOMEW scan page 253, line 7 draft record
97. Murphy, JOHN scan page 253, line 9 draft record
98. Murphy, DENNIS scan page 253, line 11 draft record
99. Murray, DAVID scan page 253, line 13 draft record
100. Murray, JAMES scan page 253, line 15 draft record
101. Murray, JOHN BROWN scan page 253, line 17 draft record
102. Must, FREDERICK scan page 253, line 19 mention only — no record here yet

     MUST, FREDERICK, Shrewsbury: c. 1800. Amati model with a much exaggerated arch. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

103. Myers, CHARLES scan page 253, line 21 draft record
104. Myles, FRANCIS scan page 253, line 23 draft record
105. Naylor, ISAAC scan page 254, line 3 claim written

     NAYLOR, ISAAC, Headingly, Leeds: 1775-90. A pupil of Richard Duke, many of whose characteristics he reproduced in his work. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

106. Newcombe, GEORGE scan page 254, line 5 draft record
107. Newton, ISAAC scan page 254, line 7 claim written

     NEWTON, ISAAC, London: 1775-1825. He made mostly for the trade, particularly for Betts. Fairly good work. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

108. Nicholas, EDWARD scan page 254, line 9 draft record
109. Nicol, THOMAS scan page 254, line 11 claim written

     NICOL, THOMAS, Glasterlaw: 1840 to about 1910. He made about seventy or eighty violins on the models of Stradivari and Guarneri. Careful work. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

110. Nicolson, JAMES scan page 254, line 13 draft record
111. Phillipson, EDWARD scan page 276, line 3 draft record
112. Pickard, HANDEL scan page 276, line 5 draft record
113. Pine scan page 276, line 7 draft record
114. Plane, WALTER scan page 276, line 9 draft record
115. Powell, ROYAL AND THOMAS scan page 276, line 11 draft record
116. Preston scan page 276, line 13 draft record
117. Preston, JOHN scan page 276, line 17 mention only — no record here yet

     PRESTON, JOHN, York: 1780-1800. He was capable of good work, but most of his instruments show carelessness. The tone is often very good. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

118. Ross, DONALD scan page 282, line 3 draft record
119. Ross, JOHN scan page 282, line 5 claim written

     ROSS, JOHN, London: c. 1560–1600. A maker of lutes and viols. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

120. Rowley, A. G. scan page 282, line 7 draft record
121. Ruddiman, JOSEPH scan page 282, line 9 draft record
122. Rylands, JOHN scan page 282, line 11 draft record
123. Stott, GEORGE T. scan page 290, line 3 draft record
124. Streets, JAMES scan page 290, line 5 draft record
125. Strong, JOHN scan page 290, line 7 mention only — no record here yet

     STRONG, JOHN, Somersetshire: c. 1650. An old viol maker, who is thought to have lived somewhere in the neighbourhood of Bristol. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

126. Strong, MATTHEW scan page 290, line 9 draft record
127. Sturge, H. scan page 290, line 11 draft record
128. Turner, WILLIAM scan page 302, line 3 mention only — no record here yet

     TURNER, WILLIAM, London: c. 1650. A maker of viols. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

129. Tuson, ROBERT scan page 302, line 5 claim written

     TUSON, ROBERT, Gravestown: contemporary. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

130. Winram, JAMES scan page 318, line 5 draft record
131. Wood, G scan page 318, line 7 draft record
132. Wooding, J. T. scan page 318, line 9 draft record
133. Woodney, H. scan page 318, line 11 draft record
134. Woodward scan page 318, line 13 draft record
135. Worden, JAMES scan page 318, line 15 claim written

     WORDEN, JAMES, Preston: 1839 to about 1908, or a year or two later. He was a descendant of the Wordens of old Worden Hall, and his mother was descended from the — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

136. Gray, JOHN scan page 335, line 3 mention only — no record here yet

     GRAY, JOHN, Sunderland: contemporary. I have not seen any of his work, but it is said to be excellent. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

137. Griffiths, A. V. scan page 335, line 7 draft record
138. Gunter, HENRY scan page 335, line 9 draft record
139. Hancock, GEORGE scan page 335, line 11 draft record
140. Hay, JAMES scan page 336, line 7 draft record
141. Gibbs, JAMES scan page 194, line 1 draft record
142. Monk, JOHN KING scan page 250, line 1 draft record
143. Berry, PETER scan page 324, line 1 draft record
144. Fleck, ETHEL scan page 183, line 3 draft record
145. Forster, SIMON ANDREW scan page 184, line 3 draft record
146. Gilbert, JEFFERY JAMES scan page 194, line 3 claim written

     GILBERT, JEFFERY JAMES, Peterborough: contemporary. He was born at New Romney, August 16, 1850, and is a son of Jeffery and Eleanor Langley Gilbert. … — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

147. Hill, WILLIAM scan page 223, line 3 draft record
148. Tweedy, J. scan page 304, line 4 draft record
149. Fleming, J. scan page 183, line 5 draft record
150. Hart, JOHN THOMAS scan page 213, line 5 draft record
151. WILLIAM FORSTER, scan page 190, line 6 mention only — no record here yet

     VIOLIN MAKER, — trade term as printed: "VIOLIN MAKER" — surname not established — the line carries a trade term but no surname resolves to it — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

152. Twemlow, S. P. scan page 304, line 6 draft record
153. Dodd, EDWARD & THOMAS scan page 166, line 7 draft record
154. Ford, JACOB scan page 183, line 7 draft record
155. Conkerton, E. R. scan page 328, line 7 draft record
156. Moore, ANTHONY JOHN scan page 251, line 8 draft record
157. James Hardie & Sons, scan page 205, line 9 draft record
158. Morgan, JAMES scan page 250, line 9 draft record
159. Davies, VINCENT scan page 328, line 9 draft record
160. Morris, J. scan page 251, line 10 draft record
161. London scan page 183, line 12 draft record
162. Forster, JOHN scan page 183, line 14 mention only — no record here yet

     FORSTER, JOHN, Brampton: 1688-1781. The first member of this celebrated family to make fiddles. Messrs. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

163. Forster, WILLIAM scan page 184, line 14 mention only — no record here yet

     FORSTER, WILLIAM, Brampton: 1714-1801. He was a son of John Forster, and, like his father, made and repaired an occasional fiddle. The workmanship is a little better than his father's, but the tone is about the same. His instruments are unpurfled, and spirit varnished. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

164. Forster, WILLIAM scan page 184, line 16 mention only — no record here yet

     FORSTER, WILLIAM, Brampton and London: 1739-1808. He is known as "Old Forster," and is the greatest maker of the family, and one of the greatest of all the old British makers. Haweis says he was "the greatest maker — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

165. Fendt, MARTIN scan page 182, line 3 claim written

     FENDT, MARTIN, London. Son of Bernhard Fendt. He worked for Betts. — governing section heading: "BRITISH VIOLIN MAKERS" — the trade evidence is the heading over this list, not the entry's own line — from OCR (read_as: ocr)

166. Ferguson, DONALD scan page 182, line 9 draft record
167. Gilkes scan page 199, line 10 draft record
168. Preston, JAMES scan page 276, line 15 draft record
169. Birch, THOMAS scan page 324, line 3 draft record
170. Harrod, ROBERT scan page 336, line 1 draft record
171. Harrod, ROBERT scan page 213, line 3 draft record