John Antes (1740–1811) was an American composer of a second generation German Moravian family was born in Upper Frederick Township, Pennsylvania, and died in Bristol, England. He became somewhat of a Renaissance Man and had careers as a violin maker, watchmaker, inventor, missionary, theoretician, businessman and composer. He was educated at the local Moravian Boys School where his talent for precision wood-working led to his being briefly apprenticed as a violin maker He made several instruments, some of which are still in existence. Traveling to Germany in 1765, he worked for four years as a watchmaker. In 1769, he was ordained as a minister and served as a missionary in Egypt. Tortured by the Moslem authorities in Egypt, ill health forced him in 1781 to return to Europe and he lived in England for the rest of his life. On his return to Europe he became acquainted with Hayden, who is said to have performed some of Antes' works. He wrote a considerable number of compositions, mostly religious works for voice.