A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Wornum

by Alfred James Hipkins

WORNUM. The name of Wornum is intimately connected with the invention and development of the Upright piano, since it is Robert Wornum's action, patented in 1826, though not completed until the 'tie' was added in 1828, that is the universally adopted Cottage or Pianino action. Its excellence was early recognised, but at first in France, where Pape introduced and Pleyel adopted it. From this circumstance it has been called the 'French' action; its use, however, has extended to wherever upright pianos are made, and it does not appear likely to be superseded. Robert Wornum, the father of the inventor, was of a Berkshire family, originally Wornham, and was born in 1742. He was a music-seller in Glasshouse Street, and from 1777 in Wigmore-street, and died in 1815. His son Robert Wornum, born 1780, was the inventor of diagonally and upright-strung low upright pianos in 1811 and 1813, which he named, respectively, the 'Unique' and the 'Harmonic.' He brought out his well-known 'piccolo' piano, in 1827, and finally perfected his crank action in 1829. He was intended for the Church, but the mechanical bias prevailed, and he went into partnership with George Wilkinson, in a pianoforte business in Oxford Street in 1810. A fire in 1812 caused a dissolution of this partnership. He ultimately established the present Warehouse and Concert Room in Store Street, and died in 1852. The present head of the firm of Robert Wornum & Sons is Mr. A. N. Wornum, who has succeeded to his grandfather's inventive talent. [See Pianoforte, vol. ii. p. 719b.]

[ A. J. H. ]