Louis Thompson Rowe (1855-1927)

Louis Thompson Rowe was born in 1855, son of a grocer in Bridgwater, Somerset. He started work in a solicitor’s office in the north of England before moving to London to work as conveyancing clerk for a well-established legal firm. He worked for the same firm until his death and was known for his quick understanding and his ability to write clearly and concisely.

From his parents he inherited a love of music and he became a good amateur pianist, performing chamber music regularly, both at his own home and at the Oxford and Cambridge Musical Club in London. He married Frances Elizabeth Hoyle who had studied at Newnham College Cambridge; she too was a pianist and also sang. Later in life he learned to play the viola. When an opportunity arose to buy an especially fine instrument, he approached his now elderly father for a loan to buy “a fine Italian viola”. His father replied: “I can’t think what you want with a villa in Italy, but I send the £150”.

Rowe taught himself French, Italian and Latin, plus some Greek. He was also a member of the Bibliographical Society and a noted book collector, with many early printed editions and an outstanding collection of 18th century chamber music.

After his death in 1927 – he was killed in a traffic accident – his collection was sold at auction by Hodgsons in 1928. However a clause in his will allowed his friend, Arthur Cole, to acquire the music collection for King’s College Cambridge. The Rowe Music Library remains one of the gems in their library’s Special Collections.