The British Musical Biography

[E] Child, William, composer and organist,
was born at Bristol, in 1606. He studied
under Elway Bevin, as chorister in Bristol
Cathedral. Mus. Bac, Oxford, 1631. Organist
of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, 1632. One
of organists of Chapel Royal, London. Chanter
of Chapel Royal, 1660. Member of King's
private band, and composer to the King in
1661. Doc. Mus., Oxon., July, 1663. He died
at Windsor, March 23, 1697, and is buried in
St. George's Chapel.

[W] Works. — The first set of Psalmes of 3
voyces, fitt for private chappells, with a con-
tinued bass either for the organ or theorbo,
composed after the Italian way, London, 1639
(2nd edit., 1650). Divine anthems and vocal
compositions to several pieces of poetry, Lon-
don ; Service in D (Boyce") ; Service in E
(Boyce) ; Praise the Lord, my soul, anthem ;
O Lord, grant the King, anthem ; O pray for
the peace of Jerusalem, anthem ; Sing we
merrily, anthem ; Services in G, P, and A
minor ; Court Ayres (a volume of secular
vocal music) ; Catches and Canons, etc.

[+] Child's compositions are very simple in
general style, and approximate in character
to the productions of a century later. " At
times, however, as in his service in D,
his harmony was rich, glowing, and closely
worked. Some few of his full anthems, with-
out any great depth of science or elevation of
genius, possess a great degree of warmth, and
exhibit imagination." He paved at his own
expense the body of Windsor Chapel.

entry id: 86-R-43