Protestant Exiles from France/Volume 2 - Book Third - Chapter 25 - Dupuis
Dupuis. — Thomas Sanders Dupuis, born in England on 5th November 1733, was the third son and fourth child of John Dupuis and Susannah, his wife, natives of France. John Dupuis occupied some position about the court, and was an acknowledged relation of Abraham Dupuis (already memorialized). His son, Thomas, was placed in the Chapel-Royal, and instructed in music by the celebrated Bernard Gates (who died in 1773, and constituted him his ultimate heir). Afterwards he became a pupil of Travers, organist of the King’s Chapel, for whom he officiated as Deputy for a time. He succeeded Dr. Boyce as organist and composer to the Chapel-Royal in 1779, on the nomination of the Bishop of London. In 1784 he was the Assistant-Director of the Handel Commemoration. The University of Oxford conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Music on 26th June 1790. He published “Organ Pieces” and “Chants;” and after his death a “Selection of Services and Anthems,” written by him for the use of the King’s Chapel, was printed in two handsome volumes, displaying “great knowledge and taste,” and “by no means deficient in invention.” He died at his house in King’s Row, Park Lane, on 17th July 1796, and was buried in Westminster Abbey (contrary to his written desire to be buried “at Fulham, on the coffin of his dear wife”). His wife’s maiden name was Martha Skelton. Two of their sons grew up, namely, Rev. Thomas Skelton Dupuis, and Charles Dupuis, Esq., of Mount Street, Grosvenor Square; the latter was the father of the late Rev. Charles Sanders Skelton Dupuis. (“Imperial Dictionary of Biography,” Colonel Chester’s “Westminster Abbey Registers,” Mr. Wagner’s “Dupuis Pedigree.”)