Channon Cornwall (1845-1885) was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He received his early musical education from his father, who was connected with Queenwood College. He studied organ at Southampton and became organist and choirmaster of Shirley Church and Romsey Abbey, Hampshire. He moved to Alloa, then Glasgow, Scotland, becoming organist and choirmaster of St. John's Episcopal Church, Glasgow. He was accompanist to the Glasgow Choral Union under the direction of H. A. Lambeth. He was known as an organist of distinction and received many pupils. He was considered somewhat eccentric, but also unpretentious and a loyal friend. His compositions include mostly part-songs written for Lambeth’s choirs and church music. He died under mysterious circumstances, when his body was found in the Forth and Clyde Canal, Glasgow, a few days after being reported missing.