Clay Clarke, Jeremiah

1670-1707

A composer and organist, who was born in London and studied under Blow as a chorister in the Chapel Royal. From 1692 to 1695 he was organist at Winchester College, and was organist and vicar-choral of St. Paul's, also joint organist of the Chapel Royal with Croft, in 1704. He committed suicide by shooting himself in St. Paul's churchyard, London. Clarke is best remembered for a few of his anthems and the psalm tune St. Magnus. His dramatic music has, been almost entirely forgotten and none of his secular music is heard now. He wrote the music to several plays, a cantata, The Assumption; and ten songs, and is the author of a text book, Lessons on the Harpsichord.