Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Stevenson, John Andrew
STEVENSON, Sir JOHN ANDREW (1760?–1833), musical composer, born at Dublin about 1760, was the son of John Stevenson, a native of Glasgow, who became a violinist in the state band in Dublin. He was a chorister in Christ Church, Dublin, from 1771 to 1775, receiving his first instruction from Dr. Woodward, and he was in St. Patrick's Cathedral choir from 1775 to 1780. He became a vicar-choral in St. Patrick's in 1783, and in Christ Church in 1800. He was created Mus. Doc. of Trinity College, Dublin, in 1791, and in 1803 was knighted by the lord lieutenant (Lord Hardwicke). He married a daughter of Mr. Morton of the custom-house, Dublin, and widow of Mr. Singleton, and died on 14 Sept. 1833 at Headfort House, Kells, co. Meath, the seat of Thomas Taylour, second marquis of Headfort, whose second wife was Olivia (d. 1834), Stevenson's second daughter. A memorial monument was placed in St. Patrick's Cathedral, and was restored in December 1896.
Stevenson is best known by his symphonies and accompaniments to the collection of Irish melodies, the words for which were written by Thomas Moore [q. v.] He wrote a good deal for the Irish stage, including the operas of ‘The Contract’ (1783), ‘Love in a Blaze’ (1800), ‘The Patriot,’ and ‘The Burning of Moscow;’ and furnished new music for O'Keeffe's farces, ‘The Son-in-law’ and ‘The Agreeable Surprise.’ A collection of services and anthems, with his portrait, was published in 1825 (London, 2 vols. 4to); and numerous glees, duets, songs, &c., were issued at various times. He also published an oratorio, ‘The Thanksgiving,’ a series of ‘Sacred Songs, Duets, and Trios, the Words by T. Moore’ (London, n.d.), and ‘A Selection of Popular National Airs, with Symphonies and Accompaniments,’ 2 vols., London, 1818.
[Grove's Dictionary; Gent. Mag. 1833, ii. 542–4; Baptie's English Glee Composers; Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, 1824; Love's Scottish Church Music; O'Keeffe's Recollections; Brown and Stratton's Biographical Dict. of Musicians.]