John Stainer's letter to Frederick George Edwards, organist, writer and editor of the Musical Times since 1897, was written in response to one of numerous invitations Edwards had extended, and would continue to extend, to eminent men in Britain's expanding musical profession for a series of leading biographical articles. These commenced in 1898 and concluded five years later in 1903. Stainer's first reaction to Edwards’ suggestion of an article had been entirely negative: ‘as regards your kind proposal to introduce me into the Mus. Times, I hope you will not be offended if I ask to be excused. Find younger men! it will give them a leg up into the stirrup! Best thanks all the same, for thinking of me.’ Yet the subject of biography, indeed autobiography, had been on Stainer's mind prior to Edwards’ suggestion for an article, and that he, still only fifty-eight years old, was duly aware of the extraordinary variety of work that had absorbed his life from the age of seven and of the part that he had played in the rapidly burgeoning environment of Britain's musical life. But it seems that Stainer, who by 1898 was close to retirement and desirous of the need to withdraw from the public gaze, required time to dwell on the prospect of a more fulsome biographical intrusion.