John E. Tullidge

John E. Tullidge Sr. was a musician and hymnwriter. He was also the first music critic in Utah Territory.

Tullidge was born on November 29, 1806, in Weymouth, England. He came from a wealthy family and was well-educated. He graduated from Eton and became the principal tenor of the York Harmonic Society. He was also one of the conductors. After moving to Wales, he became the conductor of St. Mary’s Cathedral choir in Newport and founded the Newport Harmonic Society.

Much of his family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he traveled with his wife, Jane, and their children to Utah Territory in 1863 but was not baptized until 1864.

In Utah, he wrote many scores for the Salt Lake theatre orchestra. He edited the first hymnbook to contain both words and music. He wrote the music to “An Angel From on High” (#13) and “Come, All Ye Saints of Zion” (#38), both of which were included in the 1985 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He composed other hymns that were published by the Church.

Tullidge died on January 17, 1873, after falling down a theater staircase.