Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 22.djvu/15

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Glover
9
Glyn

Scriptures,' illustrate the range and taste of the fourteen or fifteen hundred compositions Glover presented to the public from 1847 till his death, on 7 Dec. 1870, at the age of 58.

[Appendix to Grove's Dict. p. 648; Brown's Biog. Dict. p. 273.]

L. M. M.

GLOVER, WILLIAM HOWARD (1819-1875), musical composer and writer, was the second son of Mrs. Julia Glover, the actress [q. v.], and said to be descended from the Bettertons. He was born at Kilburn, London, on 6 June 1819; entered the Lyceum Opera orchestra, conducted by his master, wagstaff, as violinist when fifteen; continued his studies on the continent, and was soon afterwards employed as accompanist and solo violinist in London and the provinces. He founded, in conjunction with his mother, the Musical and Dramatic Academy in Soho Square, and was encouraged by its success to open a season of opera at Manchester, his pupils forming the nucleus of the company. Glover was joined in this or similar enterprises by his elder brother Edmund [q. v.] and Miss Romer. Returning to London he gave annual monster concerts at St. James's Hall and Drury Lane Theatre. His pupils Miss Emily Soldene, Miss Palmer, and many first-rate artists appeared, the length of the entertainments inspiring more than one foreign critic with philosophic reflections upon the English amateur's capacity of endurance. To Glover belongs the credit of initiating the performance of Beethoven's 'Pastoral Symphony' with pictorial and choregraphic illustrations in 1863; and 'Israel in Egypt' with scenery, dresses, and poses, in 1865. His cantata, 'Tam o' Shanter,' for tenor solo, chorus, and orchestra, was produced at the New Philharmonic, Berlioz conducting, on 4 July 1855, and pleased so greatly by its pleasant melodies, local colouring, and lively effects, that it was given at the following Birmingham festival, 30 Aug. 'Ruy Blas,' opera,written and composed by Glover, was produced on 24 Oct. 1861 at Covent Garden, and was successful enough for frequent repetition and a revival two years later: the comic opera, 'Once too Often,' was first performed at Drury Lane on 20 Jan. 1862, 'The Coquette' in the provinces, 'Aminta' at the Haymarket, and 'Palomita' in New York. The overtures 'Manfred' and 'Comala,' the songs, 'Old Woman of Berkeley,' 'Love's Philosophy,' 'The Wind's a Bird,' are only a few of his compositions, many of which were published in America. From about 1849 to 1865 Glover undertook the musical criticisms for the 'Morning Post;' in 1868 he settled in New York as professor and conductor of Niblo's orchestra, and he died there on 28 0ct. 1875.

[Musical World, 1855 to 1875; Grove's Dict. i. 600; Brown's Biog. Dict. p. 275.]

L. M. M.

GLYN, GEORGE GRENFELL, second Baron Wolverton (1824–1887), eldest son of George Carr Glyn, banker (1797-1873), created baron Wolverton 14 Dec. 1869, was born on 10 Feb. 1824. Sir Richard Carr Glyn [q.v.] was his grandfather. He was educated at Rugby and University College, Oxford, where he matriculated 26 May 1842. On coming of age he became a partner in the metropolitan banking firm of Glyn, Mills, Currie, & Co., and continued in the business until his death. He was some time chairman of the Railway Clearing House, and a lieutenant of the city of London. Glyn sat as M.P. for Shaftesbury in the liberal interest from 1857 to 1873, when he succeeded his father in the peerage. He was joint secretary to the treasury from 1868 to 1873, during which period he officiated as a most energetic whip. He was then sworn of the privy council. In the liberal ministry of 1880 to 1885 he was paymaster-general, and his zealous adherence to Mr. Gladstone after the promulgation of his scheme of home rule for Ireland was rewarded by the appointment of postmaster-general (February to July 1886). A personal friend of Mr. Gladstone, Wolverton during the remainder of his life gave valuable support, both oratorical and pecuniary, to the home rule cause. On 2 Oct. 1887 he presided at a great 'anti-coercion' demonstration at Templecombe, Dorsetshire, when he was presented with an address from eight parliamentary districts. He died suddenly at Brighton on 6 Nov. 1887. His personal estate amounted to more than 1,820,O00l.

Wolverton was a model landlord and a staunch supporter of fox-hunting in Dorsetshire. At Iwerne Minster in that county, where was one of his country seats, he and Lady Wolverton supported two orphanages in connection with the Home Boy Brigade originated by her. He gave his salary as postmaster-general to secure beds in a convalescent home for sick London postmen. He married, 22 June 1848, Georgiana Maria, daughter of the Rev. George Frederick Tuffnell of Uffington, Berkshire; had no issue, and was succeeded as third baron by his nephew, Henry Richard, eldest son of Vice-admiral Hon. Henry Carr Glyn, C.B., C.S.I, (d. 1884). The third baron died on 2 July 1888, and his brother Frederick succeeded him.

[Debrett's Peerage for 1887; Times and Daily News. 7 Nov. 1887; Foster's Peerage; Foster's Alumni Oxon.]

L. C. S.