In St Margaret's Church Westminster on the north wall is a brass memorial tablet to Alfred Hipkins, pianist and writer on musical instruments. It was designed by Sir L. Alma-Tadema and made by H.C. Jones & Willis, being unveiled in 1905. The inscription reads:
In affectionate memory of Alfred James Hipkins, F.S.A. Born in Westminster June 17 1826; Died June 3 1903. "The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day". Erected by his friends in grateful recognition of his lifelong services to the art and science of music
His life
He was the only son of James Hipkins (1800-1882), cabinet and piano maker, and his wife Jane (Grant) and worked all his life at the John Broadwood piano factory in Westminster. He tuned pianos for eminent musicians such as Chopin when he was in England, and gave recitals on his firm's pianos at the 1851 Great Exhibition.
Among his books he wrote about Asian instruments. He also published A description and history of the pianoforte in 1896. He wrote many articles for the first edition of Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
On 2nd October 1850 he married Jane Souter Black and their daughter Edith (born 1854) was a portrait painter and son John (1851-1933), who was deaf and mute, became a distinguished wood engraver.
Alfred is buried at Kensington Hanwell cemetery in Ealing.
Further reading
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004
His collection of musical instruments were given to the Royal College of Music, where he had been honorary curator.
"The vanishing piano tuner" by Steven Harris has a chapter on Hipkins.
This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2025 Dean and Chapter of Westminster
