George Ebenezer Williams Explained

George Ebenezer Williams (30 August 1783 − 17 April 1819) was an English organist and composer.^{[1] [2]}

Life and works

Born at Clerkenwell Green in London, Williams sang as a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral in London, studying with Robert Hudson and Richard Bellamy,^[3] before serving as assistant organist at the Temple Church under Richard Stevens and at Westminster Abbey under Samuel Arnold.^[4] In 1805 he was appointed organist at the Philanthropic Society chapel.^[5]

From 1814 until 1819 Williams served as Organist and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey.^[1]

He began composing chant settings by the age of 12,^[1] and his later works included other church music and compositions for piano. He was the author of An Introduction to the Art of Playing on the Pianoforte and Exercises for the Pianoforte.^[2]

In a letter dated 30 September 1809, he was among those described by Samuel Wesley as "pygmy puerile puppies".^[6]

His students included James Turle.^[1]

Family and death

With his with Eliza, he had one daughter, Isabelle, born in 1817.^[1]

Following his death in office at the age of 35, he was buried in the south cloister of Westminster Abbey on 24th April 1819, but no monument or gravestone was erected in his memory.^{[1] [7]}

Williams had been a collector of musical manuscripts.^[8] A copy of Spem in alium by Thomas Tallis was among the manuscripts from his library sold at auction after his death.^[9]

Notes and References

1. https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/george-ebenezer-williams Westminster Abbey: Commemorations − George Ebenezer Williams
2. John E. West, Cathedral Organists Past and Present, "London: Westminster Abbey − George Ebenezer Williams" (1921), p. 148.
3. John S. Bumpus, The Organists and Composers of S. Paul's Cathedral (London, 1891), p. 91.
4. Charles Edward Stephens, Bemrose's Choir Chant Book (London, 1882), appendix, p. xxxvii.
5. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/2933757/529494_vol1.pdfThis David Stanley Knight, "The organs of Westminster Abbey and their music, 1240−1908"
6. Michael Kassler and Philip Olleson, Samuel Wesley (1766−1837): A Source Book (2001), letter dated 30 September 1809, p. 268.
7. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D230432 The National Archives, Will of George Ebenezer Williams, Gentleman of Saint Mary Lambeth, Surrey
8. A. Hyatt King, Some British Collectors of Music: The Sandars Lectures for 1961 (Cambridge University Press, 1963), p. 27.
9. https://epdf.pub/thomas-tallis-and-his-music-in-victorian-england-music-in-britain-1600-1900.html Suzanne Cole, "Thomas Tallis and his music in Victorian England"