Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Buck, Zachariah
BUCK, ZACHARIAH (1798–1879), organist, was born at Norwich on 10 Sept. 1798. He was a chorister of the cathedral under Dr. Beckwith, to whose son he was subsequently apprenticed. While still young, Buck was a remarkably able teacher of the pianoforte; he was assistant organist of St. Peter Mancroft from 1818 to 1821, and in 1819 succeeded the younger Beckwith as organist of the cathedral and master of the choristers, which appointments he held until his resignation in 1877. The degree of Mus.Doc. was conferred on him by the archbishop of Canterbury in 1847. Buck died on 5 Aug. 1879, at the house of his son, Dr. Henry Buck, Newport, Essex, where he was buried on the 14th of the same month. His compositions include services, anthems, and chants, none of which are remarkable. His chief claim to be remembered is his excellence as a teacher, and particularly his success in training choristers.
[History of Norfolk (1829), ii. 1281; Orchestra for September 1879; Appendix to Bemorse's Choir Chant Book; information from Mr. W. H. Husk.]