Adams, Thomas

1785-1858

English organist and composer. He was a pupil of Busby and was organist for several large English churches in succession. He obtained a position at St. Paul's Church by competition, playing with twenty-eight other organists. He also superintended the performances on the Apollicon, an organ of peculiar construction. He excelled in extemporizing and did a great deal of work for organ builders in testing new organs. Adams wrote many pieces for the organ, including fugues, interludes, voluntaries and variations. He also published piano-pieces and many vocal selections, anthems, hymns and sacred songs. He was known as "the Thalberg of the organ."