A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Greatorex, Thomas

GREATOREX, Thomas, son of a professor of music, was born at North Wingfield, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, on 5 October, 1758. In 1772 he became a pupil of Dr. Benjamin Cooke. In 1774, at a performance of sacred music in St. Martin's church, Leicester (of which his sister was then organist), on occasion of the opening of the Leicestershire Infirmary, he had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of the Earl of Sandwich and Joah Bates. The earl invited him to become an inmate of his house, and in 1774, 5, and 6, he assisted at the oratorios which were given at Christmas, under Bates's direction, at his lordship's seat, Hinchinbrook House, near Huntingdon. On the establishment of the Concert of Ancient Music in 1776 Greatorex sang in the chorus. In 1780 he was appointed organist of Carlisle cathedral, a post which he held until about 1784, when he resigned it and went to reside at Newcastle. In 1786 he went to Italy, returning home through the Netherlands and Holland at the latter end of 1788. At Rome he was introduced to the Pretender, Charles Edward Stuart, with whom he so ingratiated himself as to induce the Prince to bequeath him a large quantity of valuable manuscript music. On his return to England Greatorex established himself in London as a teacher of music, and soon acquired a very extensive practice. On the retirement of Bates in 1793 he was, without solicitation, appointed his successor as conductor of the Concert of Ancient Music. In 1801 he joined W. Knyvett, Harrison, and Bartleman in reviving the Vocal Concerts. In 1819 he was chosen to succeed George Ebenezer Williams as organist of Westminster Abbey. For many years he conducted the triennial musical festivals at Birmingham, and also those at York, Derby, and elsewhere. Greatorex published a collection of Psalm Tunes, harmonised by himself for four voices, and a few harmonised airs. Besides these he arranged and composed orchestral accompaniments to many pieces for the Ancient and vocal Concerts, which were never published. His knowledge was by no means limited to music; he was well skilled in mathematics, astronomy, and natural history, and was a fellow of the Royal and Linnsean Societies. He died July 18, 1831, and was buried in the West cloister of Westminster Abbey.

[ W. H. H. ]