James Leach

LEACH, James. b. Townhead, near Rochdale, Lancashire, 1761 (baptized 25 December); d. Blackley, near Manchester, 8 February 1798. He was a handloom weaver by trade, and a Wesleyan Methodist. His talent as a singer and composer soon earned him a great reputation in Lancashire, and like many of his class and region, he was passionately committed to the singing of psalmody, and to more ambitious choral performances at local musical festivals. He is said to have sung as an alto in the Handel festivals at Westminster Abbey. He edited three published collections of hymns and set pieces, mostly for four voices with the tune in the tenor, sometimes with accompaniments for melody instruments and...