William Croft 1678-1727
From Book Owners Online
William CROFT 1678-1727
Biographical Note
Son of William Croft of Nether Eatington, Warwickshire. He was a chorister at the Chapel Royal in the 1690s, where he probably studied music under John Blow. In 1700 he became organist at St Anne's Church, Soho, and organist at the Chapel Royal a few years later; in 1708 he succeeded Blow as organist of Westminster Abbey, and was made composer to the Queen. He composed numerous anthems, odes and other pieces, and is particularly remembered for his church music; he became DMus at Oxford in 1713.
Books
Croft's library, together with his musical instruments and household goods, was auctioned in London, beginning 11 January 1728; no catalogue survives, but the sale was advertised in the Daily Post.
Sources
- Alston, R. C., Inventory of sale catalogues ... 1676-1800, St Philip, 2010.
- Zon, Bennett Mitchell. "Croft, William (bap. 1678, d. 1727), organist and composer." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.