Charles Wesley (II)

WESLEY, Charles (II). b. Bristol, 11 December 1757; d. London, 23 May 1834. He was the son of Charles Wesley*, and older brother of Samuel Wesley (III)*. He was a child prodigy, admired by many of the foremost musicians in London, such as Samuel Arnold*, and advised and taught by many of them. His playing was much admired by King George III, and as a young man he played frequently at Court, being named ‘Royal organist’ to George III and to the Prince Regent after 1810. However, he was discouraged by his father from applying for the post of organist at the Chapel Royal, Windsor, in 1788, and when he applied for other important posts, such as the one at St Paul’s Cathedral, he was told that...