Elizabeth Randles

Elizabeth Randles

Elizabeth Randles (1801? - 1829) was a Welsh harpist and pianist. She was born in Wrexham on 24 May 1801 (other sources say she was born in 1800), the daughter of Edward Randles, the blind organist of the parish church, Wrexham. She became known as ‘the Little Cambrian Prodigy’ for her ability to play the piano and harp.

Before she was two years old she played "Ar hyd y nos" and "The Downfall of Paris" on the harp at the Wrexham theatre. When she was only three years old she played before George III, Queen Charlotte and other members of the Royal Family. She created such a sensation that the Princess of Wales wished to adopt her, but her father would not part with his child. She however later went to pass a week at the house of the Princess Charlotte, at Blackheath.

She died in Liverpool in June 1829.

References

• Rathbone, Miss H. M. "True Anecdotes of Children". The Juvenile: A Penny Magazine for Children (1853): 12. Elizabeth Randles was the infant daughter of the blind organist in Wrexham Church. She had two sisters, who were both musical; and one morning, the organist ... 
• "Randles, Elizabeth ( 1801? - 1829 )". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. The National Library of Wales. Retrieved 28 March 2010. 
• "The Music Room, Gregynog Saturday, 12 June 2010, 10am – 4.30pm A Musical Breakfast". Gwyl Gregynog Festival 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010. 
• Bye-Gones, relating to Wales and the Border Countries. [Reprinted from the "Oswestry Advertizer."] 1–9. Oswestry: The Caxton Works. 1871–88. 
• Roberts, T. R. (1908). Eminent Welshmen : a short biographical dictionary. Cardiff. 
• Griffith, Robert (1913). Llyfr Cerdd Dannau. Ymchwiliad i hanes hen gerddoriaeth a’r dulliau hynaf o ganu. [With a preface by Owen M. Edwards. With illustrations and music.] Caernarfon: Cwmni y Cyhoeddwyr Cymreig. 
• Dodd, A.H. (1957) : A History of Wrexham Hughes & Son, Wrexham