Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fawcett, John (1825?-1857)

820198Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 18 — Fawcett, John (1825?-1857)1889Louisa M. Middleton

FAWCETT, JOHN, the younger (1825?–1857), organist, third son of John Fawcett (1789–1867) [q. v.], was born about 1825, studied music under his father, was organist of St. John's Church, Farnworth, Lancashire, from 1825 till 1842, and afterwards (until his death) of Bolton parish church, a post which had previously been held by an elder brother, and which was taken by a sister for a year in the interval of Fawcett's visit to London. Here he entered the Royal Academy of Music, 5 Dec. 1845, to study under Sterndale Bennett, and became organist at Earl Howe's Curzon Street church. On his return to Bolton Fawcett resumed his duties as organist, teacher, and (1849) honorary conductor of the Bolton Harmonic Society. He obtained the degree of Mus. Bac., Oxford, 3 Nov. 1852. His exercise, a sacred cantata, ‘Supplication and Thanksgiving,’ was performed at the Music School, the composer conducting, and was published by subscription in 1856. This well-written cantata is the most important of Fawcett's compositions. He died at Manchester 1 July 1857.

[Grove's Dict. of Music, i. 510; Bolton Chronicle, 4 July 1857; Musical Times, 1857, p. 97; Royal Academy of Music Entry Book, by the kindness of the secretary; Oxford Calendar, 1853, p. 268; Fawcett's musical works in Brit. Mus. Library.]