William Litton Viner

VINER, William Litton. b. Bath, Somerset, 14 May 1790; d. Westfield, Massachusetts, 24 July 1867. He studied music under Charles Wesley (II)*, the son of the great hymn writer. According to old editions of the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, he was appointed as organist of St Michael’s Church, Bath in 1820. However, in an autograph manuscript now at the Eastman School of Music (folder 8 of the Viner collection), he writes that he was elected as organist in 1810 (our thanks to Nick Fleet for this information). In 1835 he moved to St Mary’s Chapelry, Penzance, succeeding Samuel Sebastian Wesley*, who recommended him for the post. In both places he had a high reputation as a teacher...