Charles Young was born sometime during September 1686 in the Covent Garden area of London and was baptised on 7 October of the same year. Born into a musical family, his initial studies were with his father alongside his elder brother Anthony Young, who would also become a successful organist and minor composer.
He was part of a well-known English family of musicians that included several professional singers and organists during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. He became a chorister at Street Paul’s Cathedral in the late 1690s where he sang for over a decade. In 1713, Young was appointed organist of All Hallows, Barking-by-the-Tower, where he remained until his death in 1758.
He was not prolific, producing only a handful of anthems and some organ preludes.
He also composed a few vocal art songs. His reputation lies more on his skills as an organist and he was regarded as one of the finest players in England during the eighteenth century.
Several of Young"s children went on to have successful careers. Their son and Charles"s grandson, Michael Arne, was a successful composer.
