Thomas Oliphant

Born: December 25, 1799, Condie, Strathearn Perthshire, Scotland Died: March 09, 1873, London, England A Scottish musician, artist and author whose works were well known in their day. He wrote the chorale for the wedding of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Oliphant wrote the words to "Deck the Hall(s) with Boughs of Holly". Oliphant was educated at Winchester College but left early. He became a member of the London Stock Exchange but after a short time left to pursue his interest in music and literature. In 1830 Oliphant was admitted a member of the Madrigal Society and in 1832 he became the Honorary Secretary of the society, a position which he held for 39 years, eventually becoming first the Vice President and then a year later President of the Society in 1871. He wrote English words to a considerable number of Italian Madrigals for the Society's use, in some instances his words were translations but in many, they were his own creation.