Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Burrowes, John Freckleton
BURROWES, JOHN FRECKLETON (1787–1852), organist and composer, was born in London, 28 April 1787. His master was William Horsley. His first published work was a set of six English ballads, 'Printed for the author, 5 Great Suffolk Street, Charing Cross,' and in 1812 he published an overture (op. 8) which had been performed at the vocal concerts Hanover Square This was followed in 1817 by a similar work (op. 13) produced by the Philharmonic Society which Burrowes was one of the original members. In 1818 appeared the first edition his 'Pianoforte Primer' a little work which was very successful and is still in use as an instruction book. In 1819 Burrowes brought out a 'Thorough Bass Primer' which achieved a success equal to that of the earlier work. In the course of his long career he also published a 'Companion to the Pianoforte Primer' (1826), a 'Companion to the Thorough Bass Primer' (1832), 'The Tutor's Assistant for the Pianoforte' (1834), a 'Guide to Practice on the Pianoforte' (1841), collections of psalm tunes preludes dances Scotch and Irish airs sonatas a trio for three flutes songs and many arrangements of operas &c for the pianoforte. For nearly forty years Burrowes was organist of St James's Piccadilly About 1834 he settled at 13 Nottingham Place where he died after a long and painful illness 31 March 1852.
[Grove's Dict. of Music, i. 285 a; Musical World, 24 April 1852; Gent Mag 1852, i.; British Museum Music Catalogue.]