A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Atterbury, Luffman

by William H. Husk

ATTERBURY, Luffman, one of the musicians in ordinary to George III, and the composer of numerous catches and glees. Between 1778 and 1780 he obtained from the Catch Club prizes for three glees and two catches. He also composed an oratorio called 'Goliah,' which was performed for the first time at the Haymarket Theatre on Wednesday, May 5, 1773, being announced as 'for that night only.' It was again performed in West Wycombe church on August 13, 1775, on the occasion of the singular ceremony of depositing the heart of Paul Whitehead, the politician and versifier, inclosed in a marble urn, as directed by his will, in the mausoleum there of his patron, Lord Le Despencer. About 1790 Atterbury published 'A Collection of Twelve Glees, Rounds,' etc. Eleven glees and nineteen catches by him are included in Warren's collections. His glee, 'Come, let us all a-Maying go,' still retains its popularity. He died in Maraham Street, Westminster, June 11, 1796. He is said to have combined with the profession of music the trade of a builder. [App. p.525 "he sang in the Handel Commemoration of 1784, and that his death took place in the middle of one of his concerts. (Dict. of Nat. Biog.)"]

[ W. H. H. ]