Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Field, Henry Ibbot
FIELD, HENRY IBBOT (1797–1848), pianist, born at Bath on 6 Dec. 1797, was the son of Thomas Field, for many years the organist at Bath Abbey, by his wife, Mary Harvey, who died 15 June 1815. The father died 21 Dec. 1831. Henry was the eldest of a family of seven children. He was educated first at Holdstock's academy, and afterwards at the Bath grammar school. At a very early age he showed his aptitude for music. He was taught by his father, and afterwards by James Morris Coombs, the organist of Chippenham. In 1807, being then just ten years of age, he performed for the first time in public, in a duet with his father. On 15 June 1830 he divided the honours of a duet with Johann Hummel, in their performance of that composer's grand sonata, œuvre 92. He was a singularly brilliant executant, and greatly esteemed throughout his career as a musical instructor. He was very popular in his native city, and generally known as ‘Field of Bath.’ He was a good scholar in French, Italian, Spanish, and German. While professionally in attendance as teacher of music at Prior Park College, Field in 1835 was converted to catholicism by the Rev. Dr. Gentili. He was formally received into that church by Bishop Baines during the winter of that year. He gave his last concert, in association with his sister, Mrs. Belville Penley, on 13 May 1848, in the Bath Assembly Rooms. While in the act of playing Wallace's ‘Cracovienne’ he was suddenly struck down by a paralytic seizure. He died on 19 May 1848, aged 50, at the house of his brother Frederick, the surgeon, in Northumberland Buildings.
[Information from Henry Field's niece, Mrs. Lansdowne; Bath Herald, 20 May 1848; Bath and Cheltenham Gazette, 24 May 1848; Athenæum, 27 May 1848, p. 540; Gent. Mag. new ser. xxx. 107; Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, i. 519; Rev. James Shepherd's Reminiscences of Prior Park College, 1886, p. 9.]