Frederick Arthur Challinor

Who was Frederick Arthur Challinor?

Frederick Arthur Challinor was born on 12 November 1866 at Longton, Staffordshire and died on 10 June 1952 at Paignton, Devon.

His father was a miner. Challinor was ten when he started labouring in a brickworks. At age twelve he was working in a coal-mine. At fifteen he went to work in a pottery. At this time a legacy to the family included a cottage piano and this inspired an interest in music. He worked at lessons on harmony while taking his meals at the factory.

Studies resulted in him becoming an Associate of the Royal College of Music. He then started study toward a Bachelor of Music degree. He graduated with distinction in 1897 and became a successful composer. Cantatas such as Judah in Babylon, The Gardens of the Lord, and Bethany were well received. His music is attractive partly because of its simplicity and expressive qualities but also for its originality and directness.

In 1903 he became a Doctor of Music. At the time he had some four hundred published compositions. He also wrote the words for many songs.

He might be remembered for the lilting hymn tune Stories of Jesus written for a competition sponsored by the National Sunday-school Union, London.