A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Kitchener, William

KITCHENER, WILLIAM, M.D., the son of a coal merchant, from whom he inherited an ample fortune, was an accomplished amateur musician. He composed an operetta entitled 'Love among the Roses, or, The Master Key,' and was author of 'Observations on Vocal Music,' 1821, and editor of 'The Loyal and National Songs of England,' 1823; 'The Sea Songs of England,' 1823; and 'A Collection of the Vocal Music in Shakspere's Plays.' He was also author of some eccentrically written but useful books, including 'The Cook's Oracle,' 'The Traveller's Oracle,' 'The Art of Invigorating and Prolonging Life,' 'The Housekeeper's Ledger,' and 'The Economy of the Eyes.' Though an epicure, he was regular and even abstemious in his habits; but while practising the precepts he gave to others, he was unable to prolong his own life beyond the age of 50, and died suddenly Feb. 26, 1827.

[ W. H. H. ]