William Hine

Who was William Hine?

William Hine was an English organist and composer.

Hine was born at Brightwell, Oxfordshire. He was chorister of Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1694, and clerk in 1705. Coming to London he studied music under Jeremiah Clarke, whose executive style he closely imitated. In 1711 or 1712 Hine became organist of Gloucester Cathedral, and shortly afterwards married Alicia, the daughter of Abraham Rudhall, the bellfounder. The dean and chapter of Gloucester showed their appreciation of Hine's services by voluntarily increasing his yearly salary by 20 pounds, as is recorded in the mural tablet over his grave in the cloisters. He died 28 August 1730, aged 43; his wife died on 28 June 1735. Hine's chief pupils were Richard Church and William Hayes, whose son, Dr. Philip Hayes, presented a portrait of Hine to the Oxford Music School.

After Hine's death his widow published by subscription Harmonia Sacra Glocestriensis, or Select Anthems for 1, 2, and 3 Voices, &c. The volume contains the anthems Save me, Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, I will magnify Thee, and the Jubilate.