A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Staggins, Nicholas

STAGGINS, Nicholas, was taught music by his father, a musician of little standing. Although of slender ability he won the favour of Charles II, who, in 1682, appointed him Master of the King's Band of Music; and in the same year the University of Cambridge, upon the King's request, conferred upon him the degree of Mus. Doc. The performance of the customary exercise being dispensed with, great dissatisfaction was occasioned, to allay which Staggins, in July 1684, performed an exercise, whereupon he was appointed Professor of Music in the University, being the first who held that oifice. Staggins composed the Odes for William III's birthday in 1693 and 1694, and for Queen Anne's birthday, 1705. Songs by him are contained in 'Choice Ayres, Songs and Dialogues,' 1675, and other collections of the time, and a dialogue, 'How unhappy a lover am I,' composed for Dryden's 'Conquest of Granada,' Part II, is included in J. S. Smith's 'Musica Antiqua.' He died in 1705.

[ W. H. H. ]