A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Howell, James
HOWELL, James, was born at Plymouth. Possessing a fine voice he was, at an early age, taught singing, and at 10 years of age sang in public. He was brought to London in 1824 and in the next year admitted a pupil of the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied singing under Rovedino and afterwards under Crivelli, and the pianoforte and clarinet under T. M. Mudie. He subsequently learned the double bass under Anfossi, and made such rapid progress that he decided upon making it his especial instrument. He continued a pupil of the Academy for about 5 years, during part of which time he acted as sub-professor of the double bass. On the cessation of his pupilage he was appointed a Professor and afterwards Associated honorary member of the Academy. He soon took his place in all the best orchestras, and on the death of Dragonetti in 1846 succeeded him as principal. [App. p.680 "Died Aug. 5, 1879."]
His elder son, Arthur, is an excellent double bass player and bass singer; and his younger son, Edward, holds the post of principal violoncello at the Royal Italian Opera. [App. p.680 "Died April 16, 1885."]