Byrd (or Bird),William (2)

Byrd (Or Bird),William (2)

an eminent English composer of sacred music, was born about 1538. He studied under Tallis, and was chosen organist of Lincoln cathedral in 1563. He was made a gentleman of the chapel royal in 1569, and organist to queen Elizabeth six years later. He died July 21,1623. His compositions were very numerous. See Lowndes, Bibliographer's Manual; Burney, History of Music; Grovet. Dict. of Music, s.v.