Hubert Engels was a German music director, composer and violinist. He was the son of a piano maker. After leaving school he studied violin and music theory- at the Berlin Conservatory and at the Paris Conservatory. His teachers included, among others, Karl Friedrich Rungenhagen, Ferdinand Ries and the French violinist Jean-Delphin Alard. As a violin virtuoso Engels was a frequent guest soloist and undertook extensive concert tours at home and abroad. The first permanent position he took in 1849 was as concertmaster in London, where he met his wife, Laura Howell. After a three-year stay in England he returned to Bonn to settle down in 1853 in Mülheim an der Ruhr to become a private violin, voice and piano teacher. The Mülheim musical life was almost unexisting at that time and was limited to the existence of some choirs and an instrumental association. By consolidating the existing music clubs and organizing several concerts Hubert Engels founded the public musical life in Mülheim an der Ruhr. For his achievements he was awarded the title of Royal Music Director in 1879. As a composer, Engels made a name. His oratorio The Fall of Keris premiered in 1861. Further works are The 8th Psalm for soloists, chorus and orchestra (1857), a cycle of 9 songs hiking and various string quartets. 1889 Engels had to give up as music director and conductor due of a problem in his eyes. On September 8, 1891, he died at the age of 68 years. His son had his same name.