HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART
1868-1942
Obituaries
1. The Musical Times, July 1942, p. 224
2. The Times, Wednesday, Jun 17, 1942; pg. 7; Issue 49,264: col D
3. MCC Library, Wisden 1943
4. The Lily, vol. 16 no. 8 (July 1942)
5. Watkins Shaw: The Succession of Organists (Oxford, 1991)
6. The Register of Kent County Cricketers, 1729-1906
1. Obituary from 'The Musical Times', July 1942, p. 224
Dr HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART, organist at Magdalen College Chapel. Born in 1868, he was a chorister at Magdalen as the age of 10. After holding posts at Lancing, Wellington and Tonbridge he succeeded Dr. Varley Roberts at Magdalen Chapel in 1930. [This date is incorrect. It was actually in 1919.] Though he played no conspicuous part in public musical affairs, he maintained the high traditions of his post, and was held in great personal regard. He retired in 1938, and recently resumed his duties in the absence of his successor on military service.
2. The Times, Wednesday, Jun 17, 1942; pg. 7; Issue 49,264: col D
Obituary
Category: Obituaries
DR. H. C. STEWART
MUSIC AT OXFORD
Dr. Haldane Campbell Stewart died yesterday in the Wingfield Morris Hospital, Oxford, after a fall at his home on Monday. His sudden death will be felt as a real loss by all who have been concerned with the music of Oxford University, and particularly with its church music and the choir of Magdalen College Chapel.
Born on February 28, 1868, Stewart entered that choir as a chorister under Walter Parratt at the age of 10. Later he won a classical exhibition at Magdalen, and after taking his degree held appointments first at Lancing, then at Wellington, and as Director of Music at Tonbridge. When Dr. Varley Roberts retired from Magdalen Stewart succeeded to the post of organist made famous by his three immediate predecessors, Stainer, Parratt, and Roberts, and held it with distinction until he retired in 1938. He took up the work again when his young successor entered the RAF for the duration of the war and he discharged the duties faithfully up to the time of his death.
H. C. Stewart was respected in the university as a fine and accomplished musician who is college organist and as choragus could be counted on to maintain a high standard alike in the performance of the choral service and in examinations for degrees. He would describe himself as a cobbler who stuck to his [last?], but his taste and craftsmanship made the word “cobbler” inappropriate. Certainly he never sought leadership in those musical activities of undergraduates which a modern professor is expected to guide. His sterling qualities of character, and not least his unassuming charm of manner, endeared him to many friends, old and young, who latterly loved to seek the quiet of his home on the brow of Hinksey Hill to enjoy his company, his garden with its view over Oxford, and the family life surrounding him. Stewart married Elinor Dorothy Hunt, and they had one son and a daughter Jean, now well known as the viola player of the Menges String Quartet.
3. From MCC Library, Wisden 1943
STEWART, DR HALDANE CAMPBELL, an attractive batsmen for Kent when finding time for county cricket, died on June 16, aged 74. From 1892 to 1903 he was always a welcome member of the side, and he scored 2,846 runs a first-class cricket with an average of 22.76. He was a fine fieldsman. At Lord's in 1897 he made 142 against M.C.C., and played for Gentlemen against Players at Hastings in 1897. In 1903 he went with the Kent team to America. A prolific scorer for Blackheath, he showed to special advantage in an innings of 203 not out against Granville, Lee. A noted musician, H. C. Stewart was at different times a master at Lancing, Wellington, and Tonbridge schools, and was organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, from 1919 to 1938.
4. The Lily
vol. 16 no. 8 (July 1942)
HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART
On the first morning of the Easter term in the year 1884 a punt-about was going on in the playground. A new Chorister watching it all with intense interest noticed that a tallish boy with fair hair was more skilful than any of the others: he had a power of control and ease of movement that distinguished him even in so unimportant an affair as a kick-about with a rugby football. The new boy soon discovered who and what he was; it was HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART who had entered the School as a Chorister in 1879. He also found, before many days had passed, that Stewart's name was one to conjure with. The Lower School anyhow regarded as a hero one whose gifts and achievements had already become almost legendary. It was, for example, commonly believed that he had never been in any other form than the Sixth. Perhaps this belief was fostered by the awe with which the less gifted used to watch him doing his Latin verses in Hall quite unperturbed by the babel and confusion of a rather unruly school tea, without either dictionary or grammar to help him.
He did everything with consummate ease whether it were games, music or the Classics. His versatility was astonishing; therein perhaps lay his chief danger, for though it could be said of him more appropriately than most, “nihil quod tetigit non ornavit”, yet with so many fields of pursuit open to him, all claiming the exercise of his powers, he never was - perhaps he never could have been - impelled to stick to one path exclusively.
As an illustration of his natural ability story is told that in the course of the last war he and some of his colleagues embarked on the study of the Russian language and used to meet together for the purpose. But before long he was dismissed from the class - the others couldn't keep pace with him!
Paragraphs in the Press have spoken of his many achievements in the world of music and athletics, but two interesting facts escaped mention; he was one of the very few Directors of Music who could and did at short notice go into the Sixth Class-room and take a lesson in Classics. And the other thing that perhaps ought to be recorded is that this gifted scholar, musician, cricketer, footballer and golfer, somehow or other found time and opportunity to represent his college on the river in the first VIII.
Members of a past generation may remember the beautifully illustrated paper edited by C. B. Fry containing large photographs of well-known cricketers, with their particular characteristics described by the Editor. Under the photograph of Stewart standing at the wicket was one word - “Elegance”: and that was a perfect description of his mental and physical make-up.
And what of the man himself? Here, too, one word will serve to sum up his character better than a whole paragraph - humility. Anyone who met him for the first time would never get even a hint of his accomplishments. Self-advertisement was utterly foreign to his nature. In a world that is inclined to take a man at his own valuation his innate modesty was perhaps something of a handicap: his work never quite received the recognition that it deserved; occasionally it was even belittled. But while silent about himself he would always find something good to say about other people and their achievements; he was far too generous minded to be openly critical.
To know him well was to love him: and those who had that privilege will never cease to be grateful for his friendship and example. Requiescat in pace.
5. Watkins Shaw: The Succession of Organists (Oxford, 1991)
Haldane Campbell Stewart 1919-38
(b. London, 28 Feb. 1868; d. 16 June, 1942). The son of a barrister, Stewart was a chorister of Magdalen College and then an exhibitioner there (1887-91). He read classics and took the degrees of BA (1893), B.Mus. (1915), MA, and D.Mus. (1919). Before his appointment to Magdalen College he was assistant master at Lancing (1891-6) and Wellington College (1896-8), and then director of music at Tonbridge School (1898-1919). During the later part of his time at Magdalen he was choragus of the University. Stewart returned to Magdalen to act as organist when Sir William McKie joined the RAF during World War II.
Register of Magdalen College; MT, 83 (1942), 224; WWW, 1941-50.
6. THE REGISTER OF KENT COUNTY CRICKETERS, 1729-1906, p. 349
MR. HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART, who played in 75 matches for Kent between 1892 and 1903, was born in London on February 28th, 1868, and educated at Oxford, but did not obtain a place in the Eleven. He was a stylish and effective batsman, and an excellent field, and at Hastings, in 1897, assisted the Gentleman against the Players. His highest score for the County was 142 v. M.C.C. and Ground, at Lord's, in 1897. In the autumn of 1903 he accompanied the Kent team to America.
1868-1942
Obituaries
1. The Musical Times, July 1942, p. 224
2. The Times, Wednesday, Jun 17, 1942; pg. 7; Issue 49,264: col D
3. MCC Library, Wisden 1943
4. The Lily, vol. 16 no. 8 (July 1942)
5. Watkins Shaw: The Succession of Organists (Oxford, 1991)
6. The Register of Kent County Cricketers, 1729-1906
1. Obituary from 'The Musical Times', July 1942, p. 224
Dr HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART, organist at Magdalen College Chapel. Born in 1868, he was a chorister at Magdalen as the age of 10. After holding posts at Lancing, Wellington and Tonbridge he succeeded Dr. Varley Roberts at Magdalen Chapel in 1930. [This date is incorrect. It was actually in 1919.] Though he played no conspicuous part in public musical affairs, he maintained the high traditions of his post, and was held in great personal regard. He retired in 1938, and recently resumed his duties in the absence of his successor on military service.
2. The Times, Wednesday, Jun 17, 1942; pg. 7; Issue 49,264: col D
Obituary
Category: Obituaries
DR. H. C. STEWART
MUSIC AT OXFORD
Dr. Haldane Campbell Stewart died yesterday in the Wingfield Morris Hospital, Oxford, after a fall at his home on Monday. His sudden death will be felt as a real loss by all who have been concerned with the music of Oxford University, and particularly with its church music and the choir of Magdalen College Chapel.
Born on February 28, 1868, Stewart entered that choir as a chorister under Walter Parratt at the age of 10. Later he won a classical exhibition at Magdalen, and after taking his degree held appointments first at Lancing, then at Wellington, and as Director of Music at Tonbridge. When Dr. Varley Roberts retired from Magdalen Stewart succeeded to the post of organist made famous by his three immediate predecessors, Stainer, Parratt, and Roberts, and held it with distinction until he retired in 1938. He took up the work again when his young successor entered the RAF for the duration of the war and he discharged the duties faithfully up to the time of his death.
H. C. Stewart was respected in the university as a fine and accomplished musician who is college organist and as choragus could be counted on to maintain a high standard alike in the performance of the choral service and in examinations for degrees. He would describe himself as a cobbler who stuck to his [last?], but his taste and craftsmanship made the word “cobbler” inappropriate. Certainly he never sought leadership in those musical activities of undergraduates which a modern professor is expected to guide. His sterling qualities of character, and not least his unassuming charm of manner, endeared him to many friends, old and young, who latterly loved to seek the quiet of his home on the brow of Hinksey Hill to enjoy his company, his garden with its view over Oxford, and the family life surrounding him. Stewart married Elinor Dorothy Hunt, and they had one son and a daughter Jean, now well known as the viola player of the Menges String Quartet.
3. From MCC Library, Wisden 1943
STEWART, DR HALDANE CAMPBELL, an attractive batsmen for Kent when finding time for county cricket, died on June 16, aged 74. From 1892 to 1903 he was always a welcome member of the side, and he scored 2,846 runs a first-class cricket with an average of 22.76. He was a fine fieldsman. At Lord's in 1897 he made 142 against M.C.C., and played for Gentlemen against Players at Hastings in 1897. In 1903 he went with the Kent team to America. A prolific scorer for Blackheath, he showed to special advantage in an innings of 203 not out against Granville, Lee. A noted musician, H. C. Stewart was at different times a master at Lancing, Wellington, and Tonbridge schools, and was organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, from 1919 to 1938.
4. The Lily
vol. 16 no. 8 (July 1942)
HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART
On the first morning of the Easter term in the year 1884 a punt-about was going on in the playground. A new Chorister watching it all with intense interest noticed that a tallish boy with fair hair was more skilful than any of the others: he had a power of control and ease of movement that distinguished him even in so unimportant an affair as a kick-about with a rugby football. The new boy soon discovered who and what he was; it was HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART who had entered the School as a Chorister in 1879. He also found, before many days had passed, that Stewart's name was one to conjure with. The Lower School anyhow regarded as a hero one whose gifts and achievements had already become almost legendary. It was, for example, commonly believed that he had never been in any other form than the Sixth. Perhaps this belief was fostered by the awe with which the less gifted used to watch him doing his Latin verses in Hall quite unperturbed by the babel and confusion of a rather unruly school tea, without either dictionary or grammar to help him.
He did everything with consummate ease whether it were games, music or the Classics. His versatility was astonishing; therein perhaps lay his chief danger, for though it could be said of him more appropriately than most, “nihil quod tetigit non ornavit”, yet with so many fields of pursuit open to him, all claiming the exercise of his powers, he never was - perhaps he never could have been - impelled to stick to one path exclusively.
As an illustration of his natural ability story is told that in the course of the last war he and some of his colleagues embarked on the study of the Russian language and used to meet together for the purpose. But before long he was dismissed from the class - the others couldn't keep pace with him!
Paragraphs in the Press have spoken of his many achievements in the world of music and athletics, but two interesting facts escaped mention; he was one of the very few Directors of Music who could and did at short notice go into the Sixth Class-room and take a lesson in Classics. And the other thing that perhaps ought to be recorded is that this gifted scholar, musician, cricketer, footballer and golfer, somehow or other found time and opportunity to represent his college on the river in the first VIII.
Members of a past generation may remember the beautifully illustrated paper edited by C. B. Fry containing large photographs of well-known cricketers, with their particular characteristics described by the Editor. Under the photograph of Stewart standing at the wicket was one word - “Elegance”: and that was a perfect description of his mental and physical make-up.
And what of the man himself? Here, too, one word will serve to sum up his character better than a whole paragraph - humility. Anyone who met him for the first time would never get even a hint of his accomplishments. Self-advertisement was utterly foreign to his nature. In a world that is inclined to take a man at his own valuation his innate modesty was perhaps something of a handicap: his work never quite received the recognition that it deserved; occasionally it was even belittled. But while silent about himself he would always find something good to say about other people and their achievements; he was far too generous minded to be openly critical.
To know him well was to love him: and those who had that privilege will never cease to be grateful for his friendship and example. Requiescat in pace.
5. Watkins Shaw: The Succession of Organists (Oxford, 1991)
Haldane Campbell Stewart 1919-38
(b. London, 28 Feb. 1868; d. 16 June, 1942). The son of a barrister, Stewart was a chorister of Magdalen College and then an exhibitioner there (1887-91). He read classics and took the degrees of BA (1893), B.Mus. (1915), MA, and D.Mus. (1919). Before his appointment to Magdalen College he was assistant master at Lancing (1891-6) and Wellington College (1896-8), and then director of music at Tonbridge School (1898-1919). During the later part of his time at Magdalen he was choragus of the University. Stewart returned to Magdalen to act as organist when Sir William McKie joined the RAF during World War II.
Register of Magdalen College; MT, 83 (1942), 224; WWW, 1941-50.
6. THE REGISTER OF KENT COUNTY CRICKETERS, 1729-1906, p. 349
MR. HALDANE CAMPBELL STEWART, who played in 75 matches for Kent between 1892 and 1903, was born in London on February 28th, 1868, and educated at Oxford, but did not obtain a place in the Eleven. He was a stylish and effective batsman, and an excellent field, and at Hastings, in 1897, assisted the Gentleman against the Players. His highest score for the County was 142 v. M.C.C. and Ground, at Lord's, in 1897. In the autumn of 1903 he accompanied the Kent team to America.
