Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hunt, John (1806-1842)

623075Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 28 — Hunt, John (1806-1842)1891Robert Farquharson Sharp

HUNT, JOHN (1806–1842), organist and composer, born on 30 Dec. 1806 at Marnhull in Dorsetshire, entered the choir of Salisbury Cathedral at the age of seven, Arthur Thomas Corfe [q. v.] being then organist. Subsequently he was educated at the Salisbury grammar school, where he remained till 1827. During the last five years of this period he was articled to Corfe [q. v.], and received from him valuable instruction in music. When he left the grammar school, his fine voice gained him an appointment as lay vicar in the Lichfield cathedral choir, which he held till the autumn of 1835, resigning it on 10 Nov. of the same year, when he was elected to succeed Samuel Wesley (1766-1837)[q.v.] as organist to Hereford Cathedral. He remained at Hereford until his death in 1842. A collection of his songs was published in 1843.

[Life prefixed to his Songs.]

R. F. S.