James Leach (composer)

James Leach (baptised 25 December 1761, died 8 February 1798) was an English composer of nonconformist church music.[1]

Life

He was born in Wardle, Rochdale, Lancashire. He became a hand-loom weaver, but having studied music in his leisure hours, ultimately devoted himself entirely to the art. He early attained proficiency as a player, and was made a member of the king's band. He gained some distinction both as a teacher and choir-leader, and as a countertenor singer took a prominent part in the Westminster Abbey and other musical festivals.[2]

He removed about 1795 to Salford, where he died from the effects of a stage-coach accident on 8 February 1798. He was buried in the cemetery of Union Street Wesleyan Chapel, Rochdale, where his grave is marked by a stone on which is cut his short-metre tune 'Egypt,' in G minor.[2]

References
  1. "Leach, James". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/16227. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2.  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Hadden, James Cuthbert (1892). "Leach, James". In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 32. London: Smith, Elder & Co.


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