A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hogarth, George

by William H. Husk

HOGARTH, George, born 1783, was educated for the legal profession, which he practised in Edinburgh. He studied music as an amateur, and became a violoncellist and composer. In 1815 he was joint secretary with George Farquhar Graham of the first Edinburgh Musical Festival. From 1830 he was a contributor to 'The Harmonicon.' About 1834 he settled in London, and became sub-editor and music critic of 'The Morning Chronicle.' In 1835 he published 'Musical History, Biography and Criticism' in 1 vol., enlarged in 1838 to 2 vols. In the latter year he also published 'Memoirs of the Musical Drama,' 2 vols., subsequently republished as 'Memoirs of the Opera.' Upon the establishment of 'The Daily News' in 1846, Hogarth was appointed its music critic, and held that post until 1866. In Nov. 1850 he became secretary to The Philharmonic Society, and in 1862 published 'The Philharmonic Society of London from its foundation, 1813, to its fiftieth year, 1862.' He died Feb. 12, 1870. Hogarth's compositions consist of a few songs and glees. His eldest daughter, Catherine, was married at St. Luke's, Chelsea, April 2, 1836, to Charles Dickens, who is recorded in the parish register as Charles John Huffham Dickens.

[ W. H. H. ]

[App. p.678 "HOGARTH, George, writer on musical and other subjects, was born in 1783. He studied law in Edinburgh, associating with the literary characters of the day and taking part in the musical life of the city as joint secretary to the Edinburgh Musical Festival of 1815, etc. He came to London in 1830, when he contributed articles to the 'Harmonicon,' and was engaged on the staff of the 'Morning Chronicle.' On the establishment in 1846 of the 'Daily News,' under the editorship of his son-in-law, Charles Dickens, Hogarth was at once appointed musical critic, an office which he held until his failing health obliged him to resign in 1866. Besides filling a similar post for the 'Illustrated London News,' editing for their short period of existence 'The Evening Chronicle' and 'The Musical Herald,' assisting Dickens in the compilation of 'The Household Narrative,' and contributing articles, to several periodicals, Hogarth found time to write some volumes on musical subjects, in which his judgment on contemporary art-life appears to have been sound and his mind open to the new influences at work; for his artistic instinct was sure even where his knowledge was limited. These works are 'Musical History,' etc., 1835; 'Memoirs of the Musical Drama,' 1838; a revised edition of the same, called 'Memoirs of the Opera,' 1851; 'The Birmingham Festival,' 1855; and 'The Philharmonic Society, from its foundation in 1813 to its 50th year in 1862,' a history he was well qualified to undertake, owing to his connection with the Society as secretary from 1850 to 1864. His musical compositions comprise ballads, glees, and editions of standard English songs.

Hogarth died on Feb. 12, 1870, in his 87th year.

[ L. M. M. ]