Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ross, John (1763-1837)
ROSS, JOHN (1763–1837), musician, was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 12 Oct. 1763, and studied for seven years with Hawdon, organist of St. Nicholas's Church there. From 1783 to 1836 he was organist of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, and was for several years organist to the Aberdeen musical society. In Aberdeen he was long the only resident musician of any standing. He died on 28 July 1837 at Craigie Park, a suburban residence which he had purchased and improved at a cost of 2,000l. Ross was a prolific composer of pianoforte and vocal music, but, with the exception of one or two songs, such as ‘The Maid of Arranteenie’ and ‘Keen blaws the wind o'er the braes o' Gleniffer,’ his works have not survived. He contributed several airs to R. A. Smith's ‘Scottish Minstrel,’ and was complimented by Robert Tannahill [q. v.] for setting some of his songs to music. He edited ‘Sacred Music, consisting of Chants, Psalms, and Hymns for three Voices,’ London, 1828, the tunes in which are mostly his own. His anthem, ‘When sculptured urns,’ was once very popular.
[Aberdeen Journal, 9 Aug. 1837; Anderson's Precentors and Musical Professors (Aberdeen, 1876); Dict. of Musicians, London, 1824; Love's Scottish Church Music; Baptie's Musical Scotland, where a list of his works is given.]