Composer and Musician. He was born in Shrewsbury and displayed a talent for music at an early age. His first lessons in music were with Mr. Baker, a student of the composer John Blow. When he was 15 years old, he studied music with his half-brother, James Burney, who was an organist at St Mary's Church. Three years later, he moved to London where he studied under the composer Thomas Arne. During this time, he wrote music for Arne's opera Alfred. In 1749, he became an organist at St Dionis Backchurch. In 1769, the University of Oxford bestowed him with an honorary doctorate in music. In 1773, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In addition to composing music, he was also a music historian and wrote several books including "The Present State of Music in France and Italy" (1771) and "A General History of Music" (1776). Throughout his lifetime, he was friends with many distinguished celebrities including Haydn and Mozart. His two daughters, Frances Burney and Sarah Harriet Burney, were famous novelists of the Georgian Era whose works would have an impact on Ann Radcliffe, Maria Edgeworth, and Jane Austen. Charles Burney died in 1814 and was buried in Chelsea. A cenotaph of Charles Burney is present in Westminster Abbey.
Composer and Musician. He was born in Shrewsbury and displayed a talent for music at an early age. His first lessons in music were with Mr. Baker, a student of the composer John Blow. When he was 15 years old, he studied music with his half-brother, James Burney, who was an organist at St Mary's Church. Three years later, he moved to London where he studied under the composer Thomas Arne. During this time, he wrote music for Arne's opera Alfred. In 1749, he became an organist at St Dionis Backchurch. In 1769, the University of Oxford bestowed him with an honorary doctorate in music. In 1773, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In addition to composing music, he was also a music historian and wrote several books including "The Present State of Music in France and Italy" (1771) and "A General History of Music" (1776). Throughout his lifetime, he was friends with many distinguished celebrities including Haydn and Mozart. His two daughters, Frances Burney and Sarah Harriet Burney, were famous novelists of the Georgian Era whose works would have an impact on Ann Radcliffe, Maria Edgeworth, and Jane Austen. Charles Burney died in 1814 and was buried in Chelsea. A cenotaph of Charles Burney is present in Westminster Abbey.
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