Henry Purcell, an English composer, born in London in 1658, died Nov. 21, 1695. While a singing boy in the choir of the king's chapel he composed several anthems. At the age of 18 he was appointed organist of "Westminster abbey, and six years afterward one of the three organists of the chapel royal. His anthems previously written were very popular, and in 1677 he composed the music for an operetta by Tate, entitled "Dido and AEneas," performed by the pupils of a female boarding school. The success of this work encouraged him to become a regular writer for the stage, and for the play of "Abelazor" (1677), Shadwell's adaptation of "Timon of Athens" (1678), and Lee's "Theodosius" (1680), he composed the overtures and songs. A number of his instrumental pieces in four parts were published by his widow in 1697, under the title of "A Collection of Ayres, composed for the Theatre and on other occasions, by the late Mr. Henry Pur-cell." Next in order of his compositions was a series of 12 sonatas for two violins and a bass published in 1683, followed by another series of 10. Subsequently he produced the greater part of his dramatic music, and set the songs, dialogues, and choruses in several of Dryden's most successful plays.

In 1690 he composed new music for the "Tempest," as adapted for the stage by Dryden and Davenant, and within the next two years he similarly embellished Dryden's "King Arthur," "Indian Queen," and "Tyrannic Love." For D'Urfey's three parts of "Don Quixote," produced in 1694-6, he furnished the two songs, "Let the dreadful engines" and "From rosy bowers." He also furnished the music for "Bonduca," a tragedy by Beaumont and Fletcher made into an opera by Dryden, in which occurs the well known duet and chorus, "Britons, strike home;" and vocal pieces for Beaumont and Fletcher's "Diocletian," altered by Betterton, Dryden's "Au-rungzebe," and Shadwell's "Libertine." These works were published by his widow in 1697 under the title of "Orpheus Britannicus." His published anthems number 50, besides a celebrated Te Deum and Jubilate, with orchestral accompaniments; and his church music includes a complete service and a number of hymns and psalms. His odes, glees, catches, rounds, etc., were also numerous and popular.

Purcell died of consumption, and was buried in "Westminster abbey.