Eric Thiman was born in 1900. Although largely self-taught, he became a respected and prolific composer. Eric Thiman was Professor of Harmony and Composition at the Royal Academy of Music, and a Dean of the Faculty of Music, London University.

He trained two choirs and was a respected examiner and adjudicator. A talented organist, he was heavily involved with the Congregational Church throughout his life. Southwell Minster holds an archive of over 1,300 of his published compositions. He died in 1975.