Henry "Father" Willis (1821–1901) was one of England’s most influential organ builders and the founder of a dynasty continued by his son Henry Willis II and grandson Henry Willis III. His organs were distinctively different from the German tradition, embracing a more orchestral approach. Among the many tributes to his legacy, composer Sigfrid Karg-Elert dedicated his "Passacaglia über B-A-C-H" to Willis, while Louis Vierne composed the renowned "Carillon de Westminster" in his honor.

Born into a family of craftsmen, Willis was introduced to music early, partly through his father’s involvement in a musical society. He began playing the organ at a young age and apprenticed with organ builder John Gray by age 14, inventing a special manual-to-pedal coupler during his training. He worked in Cheltenham with William Evans and befriended the notable composer S.S. Wesley. After restoring the Gloucester Cathedral organ in 1847, Willis gained prominence, especially following the exhibition of one of his organs at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London. Influenced by a meeting with French organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll during travels in France, Willis integrated many progressive ideas into his own instruments. His work culminated in masterpieces such as the 1871 organ in the Royal Albert Hall, among a total output of around 2,000 instruments, including major commissions for cathedrals and churches. He also held several patents for technical innovations in organ building.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Willis