A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Paxton, Stephen

by William H. Husk

PAXTON, Stephen, a composer of vocal music in the latter part of the 18th century, produced several graceful and elegant glees, 9 of which, with 2 catches, are printed in Warren's Collections. The Catch Club awarded him prizes for the following glees; 'How sweet, how fresh,' 1779; 'Round the hapless Andre's urn,' 1781; 'Blest Power,' 1784; and 'Come, O come,' 1785; and for a catch, 'Ye Muses, inspire me,' 1783. He published 'A Collection of two Songs, Glees and two Catches,' and 'A Collection of Glees.' Two masses by him are printed in Webbe's Collection. He died in 1787 [App. p.745 "Aug. 18, 1787, aged 52, and was buried in St. Pancras old churchyard"].

His brother, William, was a violoncellist, who composed several sets of solos and duets for his instrument. He gained prizes from the Catch Club for 2 canons, 'O Lord in Thee,' 1779, and 'Israel, trust in the Lord,' 1780. He died in 1781.

[ W. H. H. ]