William Selby (1738–1798) was an early American composer, organist and choirmaster. Born in England, he emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts. In 1774 he became the organist at Trinity Church, Newport. Three years later, Selby became organist at King's Chapel in Boston where he organized the first colonial music festival.
Some known works by him include two voluntaries for the organ, a lesson in C for the harpsichord, and an anthem for Thanksgiving Day.
In addition to composer and organist, he managed a grocery and liquor shop.
Famous quotes containing the word william:
“Here lies the body of William Jones
Who all his life collected bones,
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—Anonymous. “Epitaph on William Jones,” from Eleanor Broughton’s Varia (1925)