The British Musical Biography

[E] Parsons, Sir William, musician, born
in 1716. Chorister under Dr. Cooke, West-
minster Abbey. He studied in Italy, 1768,
and became Master of the King's Music,
1786. Mus. Bac. and Mus. Doc. Oxon,
1790 (?). Knighted, 1795. Teacher of
the Royal Princesses, 1796. Magistrate of
Middlesex He died at London July, 19,
1817, aged 71. Composer of Six English
Ballads dedicated to the Princess Mary.
Songs : Dear is my little native vale ; Dear to
my Delia's peaceful heart ; Fair Daphne ;
A scholar first my love implored, etc. The
Court Minuets for His Majesty's Birthday,
1794. It was the knighthood bestowed on
Parsons which gave rise to the remark that he
was knighted more on the score of his merits
than because of the merits of his scores.

entry id: 312-L-16