A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Mason, William

MASON, Rev. William, son of a clergyman, born at Hull 1725 [App. p.712 "1724"], graduated at Cambridge, B.A. 1745, M.A. 1749; took orders 1755, became chaplain to the king and rector of Aston, Yorkshire, and afterwards prebendary (1756), canon residentiary and precentor (1763) of York Cathedral. In 1782 he published a book of words of anthems, to which he prefixed a 'Critical and Historical Essay on Cathedral Music' (another edition, 1794). He also wrote essays 'On Instrumental Church Music,' 'On Parochial Psalmody,' and 'On the causes of the present imperfect alliance between Music and Poetry." He composed some church music, the best known of which is the short anthem 'Lord of all power and might.' He was author of several poems, and of two tragedies, 'Elfrida' and 'Caractacus,' and was the friend and biographer of the poet Gray. He died at Aston, April 5, 1797 [App. p.712 "April 7, 1794"].

[ W. H. H. ]