The British Musical Biography

[E] Britton, Thomas, musician, was born at
Higham Ferrers, Northamptonsliire, in 1651.
He was apprenticed to a coal-dealer in Lon-
don, and afterwards commenced business on
his own account as a coal-dealer in Aylesbury
Street, at the corner of Jerusalem Passage,
Clerkenwell. He studied Music, Chemistry,
and Bibliography, and established weekly con-
certs in his own house, and formed a musical
club. He died at Clerkenwell, London, 27th
September, 1714.

[+] The musical club was formed by Britton
for the practice of chamber music, and the
performers consisted of Handel, Pepusch,
Banister, H. Needier, Hughes (the poet), P.
Hart, H. Symonds, A. Whichello, Shuttle-
worth, Wollaston (the painter), etc. Matthew
Dubourg when a child played his first solo in
Britton's house. The origin of these concerts
and their continuance was due to Britton's
personal love for music, together, it is believed,
with the mutual love for bibliographical and
other studies held by many members of his
audience. The admission to these concerts
was originally free, but afterwards a subscrip-
tion of 10s. per annum was charged. At the
end of 1892 the Britton concerts were estab-
lished in memory of Thomas Britton, at the
Hampden Club, Phoenix Street, St. Pancras,
London. Britton's books were sold after his
death, and the catalogue was published as
"The Library of Mr. Thomas Britton, small-
coalman, deceas'd, who at his own charge kept
up a consort of musick above 40 years in his
little cottage, 1714-15. Being a curious Col-
lection of Books in Divinity, History, Physick,
and Chimistry, in all volumes." . . .

[+] His portrait, by J. Wollaston, hangs in the
National Portrait Gallery, London.

entry id: 61-R-42