Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Callcott, William Hutchins
CALLCOTT, WILLIAM HUTCHINS (1807–1882), musical composer, a younger son of Dr. John Wall Callcott [q. v.], was born at Kensington in 1807. As a child he received some instruction from his father, and later continued his studies under his brother-in-law, William Horsley. On 4 July 1830 he was elected a member of the Royal Society of Musicians. In 1836 he published an abridgment of his father's ‘Grammar,’ in 1840 a collection of psalm and hymn tunes for Bickersteth's ‘Christian Psalmody,’ and in 1843 ‘The Child's own Singing Book.’ In the latter work he was assisted by his wife Maria, who was the authoress of several unimportant religious stories, &c. In 1851 Callcott published ‘Remarks on the Royal Albert Piano’ (exhibited at the International Exhibition), and in 1859 ‘A few Facts on the Life of Handel.’ Callcott was for some years organist of Ely Place Chapel. In the latter part of his life he suffered much from ill-health. He died at 1 Campden House Road, Kensington, on 5 Aug. 1882, and was buried on the 9th at Kensal Green. Callcott composed several songs, glees, and anthems, but his name is principally known by his arrangements and transcriptions for the piano, which amount to many hundred pieces. A son of his, Robert Stuart Callcott, who showed great promise as an organist and musician, died in the spring of 1886 at an early age.
[Baptie's Dict. of Musical Biography; Monthly Musical Record for 1 Sept. 1882; Musical Times for September 1882; Musical Standard for 3 Feb. 1883; Records of the Royal Society of Musicians; information from Mr. J. G. Callcott; Brit. Mus. Cat.]