Thiman was born in Ashford, Kent, England as Eric Harding Thimann. He later changed his last name to Thiman. Educated at Caterham School, he was largely self-taught in music. In 1921 he was awarded a fellow of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO) and (after some coaching from Harold Darke, who remained a friend) took his DMus in 1928.Hurd, Michael. 'Thiman, Eric (Harding)' in Grove Music Online (2001) That year he married Madeline Arnold, a musician and singer. From 1930 he was Professor of Harmony at the Royal Academy of Music and later, from 1956 to 1962, was Dean of the Faculty of Music at the University of London.'Dr Eric Thiman', in The Times, 19 February, 1975, p. 17
