Introduction

Biography

Robert was the son of com­pos­er John Wain­wright.

He earned a Doc­tor of Mu­sic de­gree at Ox­ford Uni­ver­si­ty, then served as or­gan­ist at St. Pe­ter’s Church (now Li­ver­pool Ca­thed­ral).

At age 18, he was one of the can­di­dates for the post of or­gan­ist at Ha­li­fax par­ish church. On the day of the com­pe­ti­tion, he was the se­cond to play, and his ra­pid exe­cu­tion caused Snetz­ler, the or­gan build­er, much an­xi­ety: Te te­vil, te te­vil, he run ov­er the keys like one cat; he vil not give my pipes room te speak.