Henry Marcellus Higgs

Henry Marcellus Higgs (1855–1929) was a British composer and performer whose early life and entire career was spent in London. His published output includes not only original instrumental, organ and sacred/secular vocal music but also arrangements of music from popular comtemporary stage works both for solo piano and for ensembles. Early life Henry Marcellus Higgs was one of three children born to organist and composer Marcellus Higgs (1827–88) and his wife Clara, nee Tomlin (c.1829-?). The organist and academic musician James Higgs, was brother to Marcellus. At the time of his birth Henry’s family were living in the parish of St George Hanover Square, London. Henry’s father Marcellus was organist of St James the Less, Westminster, and teacher of music and singing. By 1861 the family had moved to Bessborough Street in the parish of St John Westminster, where Marcellus had been appointed organist of the parish church, developing “considerable private teaching”. Henry and Emmeline settled in Twickenham before moving to Sutton. They had six children: Irene Emmeline Marcella Higgs, William Clapham Marcellus Higgs, Sidney Marcellus Higgs, Ethel Florence Gertrude Higgs, Ernest Henry Marc