William Horsley
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by Richard James Lane
William Horsley (November 18, 1774–June 12, 1858), was an English musician.
He became in 1790 the pupil of Theodore Smith, an indifferent musician of the time, who, however, taught him sufficient to obtain in 1794 the position of organist at Ely Chapel, Holborn. This post he resigned in 1798, to become organist at the Asylum for Female Orphans, as assistant to John Wall Callcott, with whom he had long been on terms of personal and artistic intimacy, and whose eldest daughter, Elizabeth Hutchins Callcott (1809-72), he married.
In 1802 he became his friend's successor upon the latter's resignation. Besides holding this appointment he became in 1812 organist of Belgrave Chapel, Halkin Street and in 1838 of the Charter House.
Horsley's compositions are numerous, and include amongst other instrumental pieces three symphonies for full orchestra. Infinitely more important are his glees, of which he published five books (1801-1807) besides contributing many detached glees and part songs to various collections. His glees, "By Celia's arbour," "O nightingale," "Now the storm begins to lower," and others, are amongst the finest specimen of this peculiarly English class of compositions.
Horsley's son Charles Edward also enjoyed a certain reputation as a musician. Another son John Callcott was a painter.
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- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
