A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/King, Robert

by William H. Husk

KING, Robert, Mus. Bac., was one of the band of music to William and Mary and Queen Anne. He graduated at Cambridge in 1696. He was the composer of many songs published in 'Choice Ayres, Songs and Dialogues,' 1684; 'Comes Amoris,' 1687–93; 'The Banquet of Musick,' 1688–92; 'The Gentleman's Journal,' 1692–94; and 'Thesaurus Musicus,' 1695–96. He composed the songs in Crowne's comedy, 'Sir Courtly Nice,' which were printed in 'The Theater of Music,' Book ii, 1685. In 1690 he set Shadwell's Ode on St. Cecilia's day, 'O Sacred Harmony.' In 1693 he set an Ode 'on the Rt. Hon. John Cecil, Earl of Exeter, his birthday, being the 21 of Sept.' commencing 'Once more 'tis born, the happy day,' the words by Peter Motteux. A collection of 24 songs by him entitled 'Songs for One, Two, and Three voices, composed to a Thorough Basse for y^e Organ or Harpsicord,' engraven on copper, was published by the elder Walsh. The date of his death has not been ascertained. He was living in 1711.

[ W. H. H. ]