Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Harris, Joseph John
HARRIS, JOSEPH JOHN (1799–1869), musician, was born in London in 1799. For seven years he was in the choir of the Chapel Royal, St. James's, under John Stafford Smith, and in 1823 was appointed organist of St. Olave's Church, Southwark. He held a similar position at Blackburn, Lancashire, from 1828 to 1831, when he became singing-master and assistant organist at the Manchester Collegiate Church, now cathedral. In 1848 he succeeded William Sudlow as organist and choirmaster of the cathedral. He was for many years connected as director with the Gentlemen's Glee Club and other societies in Manchester. He published: 1. ‘A Selection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes,’ Southwark, 1827. 2. ‘The Cathedral Daily Service,’ Manchester, 1844, 12mo. 3. ‘The Musical Expression; a Guide for Parents,’ &c., 1845, 8vo. He published also two anthems and some other compositions, and four of his glees were printed after his death. Six chants and three arrangements for responses to the commandments are included in Joule's ‘Collection of Chants.’ He wrote some good ‘Cathedral’ services which have not been published. He died of congestion of the lungs at Manchester on 10 Feb. 1869.
Joseph Thorne Harris, (1828–1869), his son, born at Bow, London, 1828, died at Broughton, Manchester, 1869, was a musician of great talent and accomplishments. He was a brilliant pianist and a prolific writer of musical compositions, a few of which have been printed.
[Manchester Courier, 12 Feb. 1869; Grove's Dict. of Music, i. 691; Brown's Dict. of Musicians, 1886, p. 303; information supplied by Mr. B. St. J. B. Joule.]