John Fawcett (of Bolton) (8 December 1789 – 26 October 1867) began in life as a

shoemaker Shoemaking is the process of making footwear. Originally, shoes were made one at a time by hand, often by groups of shoemakers, or cobblers (also known as '' cordwainers''). In the 18th century, dozens or even hundreds of masters, journeymen ...

but taught himself to be a musician, at Bolton-le-moors. In 1825, Fawcett moved to

Bolton Bolton (, locally ) is a large town in Greater Manchester in North West England, formerly a part of Lancashire. A former mill town, Bolton has been a production centre for textiles since Flemish weavers settled in the area in the 14th ...

, in

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancash ...

, and became an

organist An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists. In addition, an organist may accompany congregational h ...

choir A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which sp ...

leader, and composer.Sally Drage, 'John Fawcett of Bolton: the changing face of psalmody', http://www.wgma.org.uk/Articles/Fawcett.htm He composed three sets of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, published at various periods under the titles of ''The Voice of Devotion,'' ''The Harp of Zion,'' ''The Cherub Lute,'' and ''Miriam's Timbrel'' (1862), which are still very popular in

. In 1840 he edited and arranged the accompaniments the collection of psalm and hymn tunes and other pieces selected by

Joseph Hart Joseph Hart (1711/12 – 24 May 1768) was a Calvinist minister in London. His works include ''Hart's Hymns'', a much-loved hymn book amongst evangelical Christians throughout its lifetime of over 200 years, which includes the well-known hy ...

, the music publisher, entitled ''Melodia Divina''. An

oratorio An oratorio () is a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists. Like most operas, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However, opera is ...

of his composition, called Paradise, was published in 1853. He died at Bolton, Oct. 26,1867.

References

English classical composers English classical organists British male organists Shoemakers Classical composers of church music People from Bolton 1789 births 1867 deaths English male classical composers 19th-century English musicians 19th-century British male musicians Male classical organists 19th-century organists {{UK-composer-stub