A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Turle, James
TURLE, James, born at Taunton [App. p.805 "Somerton"], March 5, 1802, was a chorister at Wells Cathedral, under Dodd Perkins, from July 1810 to Dec. 1813. He was organist of Christ Church, Surrey, from 1819 to 1829, and from the latter date to 1831 organist of St. James, Bermondsey. From 1819 to 1831 he was assistant to Thomas Greatorex as organist and master of the choristers of Westminster Abbey, and upon Greatorex's death in 1831 was appointed his successor. [App. p.805 "add that from 1840 to 1843 he was part conductor of the Ancient Concerts."] In 1875 he was released from active duty by the appointment of Dr. J. F. Bridge as his assistant. From 1829 to 1856 he was music master at the School for the Indigent Blind. He composed and edited many services, anthems, and chants, and edited, with Professor E. Taylor, 'The People's Music Book.' He also composed many glees, which yet remain in MS. His remarkable skill and ability as a teacher were strikingly manifested by the number of those who received their early training from him, and rose to eminence in their profession. He died June 28, 1882.
Robert Turle, his brother, born March 19, 1804, was a chorister at Westminster Abbey from 1814 to Aug. 1821, was organist of Armagh Cathedral from 1823 to 1872, and died March 26, 1877.
William Turle, first cousin of the preceding two, born at Taunton in 1795, a chorister of Wells Cathedral from 1804 to 1810. After quitting the choir he paid a short visit to America, and on his return to England in 1812 became organist of St. James's, Taunton, which he quitted upon being appointed organist of St. Mary Magdalen's in the same town.[ W. H. H. ]