Attwood, Thomas

Attwood, Thomas a musical composer, was born in London in 1767. After receiving some elementary instruction, he was sent abroad to study at the expense of the prince of Wales, in 1783. He studied two years at Naples, and then proceeded to Vienna, where he became a favorite pupil of Mozart. On his return to London he became one of the chamber musicians to the prince of Wales. In 1795 he was chosen organist of St. Paul's, and the year following he became composer to the chapels royal. His court connection was further confirmed by his appointment as musical instructor to the duchess of York and afterwards to the princess of Wales. For the coronation of George IV he composed the anthem The King shall Rejoice. In 1821 king George appointed him organist to his private chapel at Brighton. Soon after the establishment of the Royal Academy of Music, Attwood was chosen one of its professors. He wrote the anthem O Lord, Grant the King a Long Life, which was performed at the coronation of William IV; and he was composing a similar work for the coronation of queen Victoria when he died, March 24, 1838. His services and anthems were published in a collected form, after his death, by his pupil Walmesley, and are frequently used in cathedral worship. See Encyclop. Brit. (9th ed.) s.v.