A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bartholomew, William

by George Grove

BARTHOLOMEW, William, born in London 1793; died Aug. 18, 1867. A man of many accomplishments chemist, violin-player, and excellent flower-painter; but to the English public familiar as the translator or adapter of the words of most of Mendelssohn's vocal works. The English text of 'St. Paul' was adapted by Mr. W. Ball, but 'Antigone' (for which he received the gold medal of merit from the King of Prussia), 'Athalie,' 'Œdipus,' 'Lauda Sion,' the'Walpurgisnight,' the Finale to 'Loreley,' 'Elijah,' and the fragments of 'Christus,' with most of Mendelssohn's songs, were Mr. Bartholomew's work—not, as any one familiar with Mendelssohn's habits will believe, without constant suggestion and supervision from the composer. 'Hear my Prayer' was composed at Mr. Bartholomew's request for the concerts of Miss Mounsey, a lady whom he married in 1853. Besides the above, Mr. Bartholomew wrote English words for Méhul's 'Joseph' (by command of the Queen); Spohr's 'Jessonda'; Costa's 'Eli,' 'Naaman,' and 'The Dream'; and Mrs. Bartholomew's 'The Nativity,' etc. For the last few years of his life he was confined to his room by paralysis of the lower limbs.

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