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Organ organist

John Stanley

The composer and organist, John Stanley, was born in London on 17th January, 1712. He was organist to the Society of the Inner Temple from 1734 until his death in 1786. His brilliant harpsichord and organ playing attracted the attention of many musicians; Handel was a frequent visitor to the church to hear him play.

An accident at the age of two left Stanley almost blind, although it is said that he was still able to distinguish colors and possibly some shapes. His early musical training was received under Maurice Greene who was organist at St. Paul's Cathedral and a composer, and at the age of seventeen he became the youngest person to obtain the Bachelor of Music degree of Oxford University.

Stanley was elected a governor of the Foundling Hospital, London in 1770 (Handel had also been a governor), and continued the tradition of an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah to raise money for the charity.

In 1779, Stanley succeeded William Boyce as Master of the King's Band of musicians. Stanley died at his home in Hatton Garden on 19th May, 1786 aged 74.