Biography

William Horsley (1774-1858), composer, was born in London on 15 November 1774. After some training from Gardiner, a pupil of Pepusch, he was articled for five years to the pianist Theodore Smith. In 1794 Horsley was elected to the post of organist of Ely Chapel, Holborn, and three years later, on 15 June 1797, was admitted a member of the Royal Society of Musicians. In the following year, with the co-operation of Callcott, he founded the Concentores Sodales, a club for the encouragement of glee and canon writing, which flourished, with varying fortunes, until 1847. He was appointed assistant organist to Callcott at the Asylum for Female Orphans, and in consequence resigned his post at Ely Chapel, in 1847. From 1812 to 1837 Horsley was also organist at the new Belgrave Chapel in Halkin Street. In 1838 he exchanged this post for that of organist to the Charterhouse. He died on 12 June 1858, at his home, 1 High Row, Gravel Pits, Kensington, and was buried in Kensal Green cemetery.

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