William Jackson (29 May 1730 – 5 July 1803[1]), referred to as Jackson of Exeter, was an English organist and composer.
Jackson was born and died in Exeter, England. He was a pupil of Sylvester, the organist of Exeter Cathedral, and of J. Travers in London.[1] After teaching for years at Exeter, he became organist and choirmaster at the cathedral in 1777.[1] He composed the operas The Lord of the Manor (1780, libretto by John Burgoyne) and Metamorphoses (1783), as well as several odes (Warton's Ode to Fancy, Pope's The Dying Christian to His Soul, and Lycidas) and a large number of songs, canzonets, madrigals, pastorals, hymns, anthems, sonatas for harpsichord, and church services.[1] His writings include 30 Letters on Various Subjects (London, 1782), Observations on the Present State of Music in London (1791), and The Four Ages, together with Essays on Various Subjects (1798).[1]