Dans sa communication Masonic Music and Musicians of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland, le Frère W. J. Bunkey présente (pp. 12-15) le Frère E. J. Crow comme

• initié à la S. John's Lodge de Leicester, où il fut l'initiateur de l'habitude d'utiliser la musique en accompagnement pour les cérémonies, et dont il devint Vénérable en 1872 et membre honoraire en décembre 1873 lors de son départ pour un poste d'organiste à la cathédrale de Ripon ;
• compositeur de deux hymnes (opening et closing), dont il donne les partitions, et de l'hymne The Final Toast.

Le Dictionary of Composers for the Church in Great Britain and Ireland le mentionne (p. 80) dans les termes suivants :

CROW, Dr. Edwin John (1841-1908)

Born in Sittingbourne, Kent on 17 September 1841; died in Harrogate, Yorkshire on 7 December 1908.

A chorister at Rochester Cathedral under John Larkin Hopkins, to whom he was later articled. When in 1856 Hopkins moved to Cambridge and was succceded by his cousin, John Hopkins, the articles were transferred. During this time, Crow taught the boys of the choir. Graduated Mus.B. (1872) and Mus.D. (1882) at the University of Cambridge.

Studied with George Löhr in Leicester (from 1858). Organist of Holy Trinity Church, Leicester (from 1861), having been acting organist for three years. Later, organist of St. Andrew's Church and St. John's Church, both also in Leicester.

In 1873 he was appointed organist of Ripon Cathedral with effect from 1 January the following year. Taught al Ripon Grammar School; conductor of local music societies. Organist of the Parish Church, Skelton-cum-Hardy (1876-1881). An exarniner for the Incorporated School of Music. Retired in 1902. 

His compositions include hymn tunes, a setting of Psalm 146, a Harvest Cantata, a Communion Service in F, a Morning Service in C (commissioned for the opening of the organ in Ripon Cathedral in April 1878) and settings of the Evening Service in G, in A and in D. He also composed songs, and pieces for organ and piano.

ci-contre : Notice nécrologique parue en 1908 (p. 221) dans un magazine de Cambridge, The Eagle.