Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Neilson, Laurence Cornelius
NEILSON, LAURENCE CORNELIUS (1760?–1830), organist, was born in London about 1760. At the age of seven he went with his parents to the West Indies, where his father died. Returning with his mother to London, he studied music under Valentine Nicolai, and began teaching at Nottingham and Derby. He was organist for two years at Dudley, Worcestershire, and in 1808 succeeded to the teaching engagements of Samuel Bower at Chesterfield, where he died in 1830. His compositions, none of which are important, include pianoforte sonatas, duets, songs, a 'Book of Psalms and Hymns,' and some flute music. His son, E. J. Neilson, was one of the ten foundation students of the Royal Academy of Music.
[Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, 1824; Brown's Dictionary of Musicians.]