A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bottomley, Joseph

BOTTOMLEY, Joseph, born at Halifax, Yorkshire, in 1786, at a very early age evinced a strong predilection for music, and so quickly profited by the instruction he received as to be able at seven years of age to perform a violin concerto in public. At twelve years of age he was removed to Manchester, where he studied under Grimshaw, organist of St. John's Church, and Watts, leader of the concerts. By the advice of the latter he took lessons on the violin from Yaniewicz, then in Manchester. At fifteen he was articled to Lawton, organist of St. Peter's, Leeds. On the expiration of his term he went to London, and studied pianoforte playing under Woelfl. In 1807 he was appointed organist of the parish church of Bradford, Yorkshire, but resided and taught chiefly in Halifax. In 1820 he was chosen organist of the parish church, Sheffield. Bottomley published several of his compositions for the pianoforte, and, in 1816, a small dictionary of music.

[ W. H. H. ]