Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Knapp, William
KNAPP, WILLIAM (1698–1768), musical composer, was born at Wareham, Dorset (Hutchins), in 1698. He was for thirty-nine years parish clerk of Poole, and died there in September (he was buried on the 26th) 1768. He published ‘A Sett of New Psalm Tunes and Anthems in Four Parts, with an introduction to Psalmody after a plain and familiar manner,’ London, 1738, 7th edition, 1762, and ‘New Church Melody,’ London, 1753, with portrait prefixed. To the latter work is added an ‘Imploration to the King of Kings, wrote by Charles I during his captivity in Carisbrook Castle, 1648.’ Both works consist of original compositions, and each contains the long-metre psalm-tune called, after the composer's birthplace, ‘Wareham,’ which constitutes Knapp's chief claim to remembrance. In the first-named publication the tune appears under the title and in the form now known; in the other work it is called ‘Blandford,’ and is printed in common instead of triple time.
[Hutchins's Hist. of Dorset, 3rd ed. 1861–1873, i. 67; Noble's Continuation of Granger, iii. 306; Parr's Church of England Psalmody; information from the rector of Poole.]