A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Jackson, William (of Exeter)

JACKSON, William, known as Jackson of Exeter, son of a grocer in that city, was born in May 1730 [App. p.685 "May 28"]. He received a liberal education, and having displayed a strong partiality for music, was placed under John Silvester, organist of Exeter Cathedral, for instruction. In 1748 he removed to London and became a pupil of John Travers. On his return to Exeter he established himself as a teacher. In 1755 he published a set of 'Twelve Songs,' 'which were so simple, elegant, and original, that they immediately became popular throughout the kingdom.' He afterwards produced 'Six Sonatas for the Harpsichord,' 'Elegies for three voices,' and a second set of 'Twelve Songs.' These were followed by 'Six Epigrams,' a third set of 'Twelve Songs,' and a setting of Warton's 'Ode to Fancy.' In 1767 he composed the music for a dramatic piece called 'Lycidas,' altered from Milton's poem, on the occasion of the death of Edward, Duke of York, brother of George III, and produced at Covent Garden on Nov. 4, but never repeated. He next published 'Twelve Canzonets for two voices,' which were highly successful, and one of which, 'Time has not thinned my flowing hair,' enjoyed a long career of popularity. To these succeeded 'Eight Sonatas for the Harpsichord,' and 'Six Vocal Quartetts.' In 1777 Jackson received the appointments of subchanter, organist, lay vicar, and master of the choristers of Exeter Cathedral. In 1780 he composed the music for General Burgoyne's opera, 'The Lord of the Manor,' which was produced at Drury Lane, Dec 27, with great success, and kept possession of the stage for more than half a century, mainly owing to Jackson's music. The beautiful song, 'Encompassed in an angel's frame,' is one of those gems which time can never affect. In 1782 Jackson published 'Thirty Letters on various subjects,'—three of them relating to music, which were well received and in 1795 reached a third edition. 'The Metamorphosis,' a comic opera, of which Jackson was believed to be the author as well as, avowedly, the composer, was produced at Drury Lane, Dec. 5, 1783, but performed only two or three times, In 1791 Jackson published a pamphlet entitled 'Observations on the present State of Music in London.' In 1798 he published 'Four Ages, together with Essays on various subjects,' intended as additions to the 'Thirty Letters.' His other musical publications comprised a second set of 'Twelve Canzonets for two voices,' 'Twelve Pastorals,' a fourth set of 'Twelve Songs,' 'Hymns in three parts,' and 'Six Madrigals.' His cathedral music was collected and published many years after his death by James Paddon, organist of Exeter Cathedral. He died of dropsy, July 12, 1803. Jackson employed much of his leisure time in painting landscapes in the style of his friend Gainsborough, in which he attained considerable skill. Whilst much of his music charms by its simplicity, melodiousness, refinement and grace, there is also much that sinks into tameness and insipidity; his church music especially is exceedingly feeble. Notwithstanding this, 'Jackson in F' is even now popular in some quarters.

[ W. H. H. ]