Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Holmes, George (fl.1673-1715)
HOLMES, GEORGE (fl. 1673–1715), organist and composer, perhaps a son of Thomas Holmes and grandson of John Holmes (fl. 1602) [q. v.], was in 1698 organist to the Bishop of Durham, Nathaniel, lord Crewe, formerly dean of the Chapel Royal. From 1704 till about 1715 Holmes was organist to Lincoln Cathedral. He contributed several catches to the ‘Musical Companion’ in 1673. A toccata for single or double organ, believed to be by Holmes, in a book of organ music once in his possession (Addit. MS. 31446), a suite for harpsichord (ib. 31465), and an air or brawle for two trebles and a bass (ib. 31429, No. 34) are preserved in the British Museum Library, as well as two anthems in Tudway's ‘Collection’ (Harl. MS. 7341, pp. 233, 453)—‘Arise, shine, O Daughter of Zion,’ 1706, written on the occasion of the union of England and Scotland, and ‘I will love Thee’—and the Funeral Service (Addit. MS. 17820). Other of his anthems are said to be in the choir-books of Lincoln. The music of Holmes's ‘Ode for St. Cecilia's Day’ no longer exists; but among his published music is ‘A Verse on St. Cecilia's Day,’ 1715, in which Bacchus is said to grace the occasion. The songs ‘Tell me, little wanton boy,’ ‘Celia's invitation,’ ‘The Resolution,’ and ‘The Man loves best,’ are also ascribed to Holmes.
[Wood's MS. Lives of Musicians; Husk's Celebrations, p. 53; Grove's Dict. of Music, i. 744; Mr. Julian Marshall's memorandum in above-mentioned organ-book.]