A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bacon, Richard

by Edward Francis Rimbault

BACON, Richard Mackenzie, born at Norwich, May 1, 1776, was a musical critic of great acumen, and wrote at a time when sensible musical criticism was an uncommon thing. His father was proprietor of the 'Norwich Mercury,' which he inherited from him, and bequeathed to his son. Richard began to write for this journal at seventeen, and its editorship was the standard occupation of his whole life. He is known to musical men as the projector, editor, and chief writer of the 'Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review,' which was the first journal devoted to music in England. The first number was issued in January, 1818, and it was for some time continued, as its name implies, quarterly, but the late numbers came out irregularly, the last (completing the 10th volume) appearing in 1826 [App. p.529 "1829"]. He contributed musical notes to 'Colburn's Magazine,' and other periodicals. He issued proposals for an extensive musical dictionary, for which he is said to have collected the materials, but it was never printed. In 1828 he published 'The Elements of Vocal Science,' a work of considerable merit, the materials of which had previously appeared in the 'Musical Magazine.' He claims the merit of originating the Norwich Triennial Musical Festival, the first celebration of which was held in. 1824. He was the author of a 'Life of Pitt,' a 'Life of the Earl of Suffolk,' and of numerous political pamphlets. He died at Norwich, Nov. 2, 1844 [App. p.529 "Nov. 27"]. (Imp. Dict, of Biog.; Private Sources.)

[ E. F. R. ]