William Ebsworth Hill

History

William Ebsworth Hill (1817-1895) was born in 1817, the fourth son of Henry Lockey Hill. After his father's death in 1835, he was apprenticed to Charles Harris (II) in Oxford, returning to London in 1838 to reside at St George's Road, Borough, with his elder brother Joseph (IV), who passed away that same year. Soon after, he began collaborating with James Tubbs, whose bows were subsequently branded with W. E. Hill's mark. He opened his own workshop in Southwark, and as his business expanded, he relocated to Waterloo Road in 1866, and later to Wardour Street, the heart of London's violin trade. In 1880, he established the renowned firm of W. E. Hill & Sons, which moved to New Bond Street in 1882. Assisted by his sons, William Henry, Arthur Frederick, Alfred Ebsworth, and Walter Edgar, this establishment grew to become the most respected and admired center of violin expertise globally. He eventually retired to his estate in Hanwell, continuing to work for some time before his death in 1895, which marked the passing of a significant figure connecting modern times with a bygone era of personality.

Craft

• Early Skill: He began his career by making violin bridges, demonstrating an astonishing skill and dexterity in their carving, with approximately 200 of his bridges still preserved by the firm.
• Exhibition Success: In 1862, he exhibited several beautiful violins of carefully finished work and an excellent viola of large pattern with a full, round tone in London, receiving special commendation and a prize medal, proving that violin making in England was not extinct.
• Focus on Restoration: Although capable of new construction, he quickly realized that new work was unremunerative and shifted his primary focus to the restoration and dealing of old instruments, an area where his keen insight and rare connoisseurship led to extraordinary success.
• Work Style: His new instruments, made early in his career, are characteristic of their period, reflecting the influence of Lockey Hill and Charles Harris rather than a direct familiarity with authentic Cremonese instruments.
• Expertise: He possessed a wide and thorough knowledge of the art and craft of violin making, and a certificate of authenticity issued by him was considered unassailable by musicians, collectors, and dealers worldwide.

Influence

• Family Lineage: He was the son of Henry Lockey Hill, a notable maker in his own right.
• Apprenticeship: According to John Dilworth, he was apprenticed to Charles Harris (II) in Oxford.
• Mentorship: Sources contain conflicting information regarding William Ebsworth Hill's early training. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and Cecie Stainer state that he was a pupil of his elder brother Joseph (IV).
• Stylistic Influence: His early work clearly shows the influence of Lockey Hill and Charles Harris.
• Family Training: He trained his four sons to become skilled violin makers, integrating them into his business.

Legacy

• Founding of W. E. Hill & Sons: He established the firm of W. E. Hill & Sons in 1880, which, under his guidance and that of his sons, became a globally respected center for violin expertise.
• Family Business: His four eldest sons—William Henry, Arthur Frederick, Alfred Ebsworth, and Walter Edgar—all became members of the firm, with Alfred Ebsworth and Walter Edgar notably studying in Mirecourt.
• Preserved Work: The firm still preserves approximately 200 of his beautifully shaped and designed violin bridges.
• International Reputation: As a connoisseur, he achieved a worldwide reputation, with his certificates of authenticity for violins being considered definitive.
• Awards: He received a prize medal and special commendation for his exhibited instruments at the 1862 London exhibition.

Further Information

• Working Period: He worked from 1831.
• Addresses: He lived at St George's Road, Borough, in 1838, later moving his workshop to Waterloo Road in 1866, then to Wardour Street, and finally establishing W. E. Hill & Sons at New Bond Street in 1882.
• Workshop Location: His sons employed a large staff in their workshops at Hanwell.
• Branding: He branded bows for James Tubbs.
• Mark: An example of his mark is "William E. Hill / Maker London / 1852 [BVMA]."

Summary

William Ebsworth Hill (1817-1895) was a pivotal figure in English violin making and connoisseurship, born the fourth son of Henry Lockey Hill. Apprenticed to Charles Harris (II) and influenced by his father and possibly his elder brother Joseph (IV), he initially excelled at making violin bridges. While he produced new instruments early in his career, earning a prize medal at the 1862 exhibition for his craftsmanship, he soon focused primarily on the restoration and dealing of old instruments, where his expertise and discerning eye brought him international renown. In 1880, he founded W. E. Hill & Sons, a firm that, with the involvement of his four sons, became a world-leading authority in violin expertise, solidifying his legacy as a master craftsman and connoisseur.