A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Smith, John (doctor)

SMITH, John, commonly styled Dr. Smith [App. p.794 "for commonly styled Dr. Smith read Mus.D."], was born at Cambridge in 1795. On Nov. 23, 1815, he was admitted to a situation in the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, but failed to secure the appointment of vicar choral owing to his having quarrelled and gone to law with the Dean in 1824. On Feb. 5, 1819, he was appointed a vicar choral of St. Patrick's Cathedral. About 1826 he assumed the title of Mus. Doc., but it is very doubtful if the degree was ever really conferred upon him, no record of it existing. [App. p.794 "for sentence beginning About 1826 read On July 7, 1827, the degree of Mus.D. was conferred upon him by the University of Dublin. (See vol. iv. p. 170b, note 9.)"] He afterwards obtained the appointments of Chief Composer of the State Music, Master of the King's Band of State Musicians in Ireland, and Composer to the Chapel Royal, Dublin; and about 1845 [App. p.794 "in 1847"] was chosen Professor of Music in Dublin University. He composed 'The Revelation,' an oratorio, some church music, and several prize glees and other compositions. In 1837 he published a volume of Cathedral Music containing services and chants, and a 'Veni, Creator.' He died Nov. 12, 1861.

[ W. H. H. ]