Linley, Thomas, jr.

1756-1778

Eldest son of the preceding; born at Bath. His first instruction was from his father, and he first appeared in public at the age of eight. His next teacher was Dr. Boyce, at the close of whose tuition, in 1768, he wrote six violin solos. Two years later he became the pupil of Nardini, at Florence. He made the acquaintance there of Mozart, and the two became firm friends. Returning to Bath in 1773, he became leader of the orchestra and solo-player at his father's concerts, and afterwards at the Drury Lane Oratorios. He was drowned through the capsizing of a pleasure-boat, while visiting the Duke of Ancaster at Grimsthorpe, in Lincolnshire. He was considered one of the finest violinists in Europe. He  composed an anthem, Let God Arise; portions of The Duenna; a short oratorio, The Song of Moses; a glee for five voices, Hark! the Bird's Melodious Strain, the upper part of which was usually sung by his sister, Mrs. Sheridan. Most of his compositions are contained in the collection of his father's works and his own, published in 1800.