caught smallpox from one of his patients and went blind. He was obliged to give up his work and died shortly after in 1892. William was 16 years old. A musician friend of the family, named Beaumont, became their benefactor and saved them from penury. In 1904 he was highly commended for Variations on a Swedish Air, performed at the first Patrons' Concert. In 1905 he won first prize in the Cobbett competition for a single-movement String Quartet. One of his former teachers, Walford Davies, appointed him accompanist to the Bach Choir. In 1906, Hurlstone returned to the college, having been appointed Professor of Counterpoint, but died later that year of bronchial asthma, from which he had suffered all his life. He was 30 years old. He is buried in Croydon Cemetery with members of his family. The monument over William's grave was designed as a broken column to signify that he had died before reaching his peak. A street in South Norwood was named after Hurlstone; his mother had lived in Selhurst Road nearby as did his musician friend Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Musical works The greater part of Hurlstone's body of work consists of works for chamber ensembles. Although they are of consistently high quality, none achieved any great fame, but the Bassoon Sonata has become particularly popular along with the Characteristic Pieces for Clarinet and Piano. Among the better known are: Phantasie for String Quartet in A minor (published early 1905), which won first prize in the inaugural Cobbett Chamber Music Competition Piano Quartet in E minor, Op. 43; Piano Trio in G major, dating from 1905; Trio in G minor for clarinet, bassoon and piano; and Four Characteristic Pieces for clarinet and piano (Ballade, Croon Song, Intermezzo and Scherzo). Additionally, he composed four instrumental sonatas for: piano solo (in F minor) violin and piano; cello and piano (in D major); and bassoon and piano (in F major). There is also a Quintet in G minor for flute, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano. His orchestral works include Variations on a Swedish Air; Variations on a Hungarian Air; Variations on an Original Theme; Magic Mirror Suite (based on the fairy tale of Snow White); and a Piano Concerto in D major. Editions of his music Four Characteristic Pieces (B clarinet and piano) Emerson Edition (Ref: E97) Quintet in G minor (flute, clarinet, bassoon, horn and piano; ed. Jonathan Kershaw 1998)