A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Milton, John

by William H. Husk

MILTON, John, father of the poet, was of an ancient Roman Catholic family seated at Milton, Oxfordshire. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, but being disinherited for embracing Protestantism, commenced business as a scrivener in Bread Street, Cheapside, at the sign of the Spread Eagle, the family arms. He was a skilled musician, and admitted into fellowship with the best composers of his time. To 'The Triumphes of Oriana,' 1601, he contributed the six-part madrigal 'Fayre Oriana in the morne,' and to Leighton's 'Teares or Lamentacions,' 1614, four motets. Ravenscroft's 'Whole Booke of Psalmes,' 1621, contains some tunes by him, among them the well-known 'York' and 'Norwich.' He is said to have composed an 'In Nomine' in 40 parts, and presented it to a Polish prince, who rewarded him with a gold chain and medal. His musical abilities are celebrated by his son in a Latin poem, 'Ad Patrem.' He died at an advanced age in March 1646–7, and was buried at St. Giles', Cripplegate. Specimens of his compositions are given by both Hawkins and Burney.

[ W. H. H. ]