George Jackson

Background

Jackson was born in 1758 in Oxford, England.

Education

Having shown a bent toward music, Jackson was placed at an early age under the instruction of Dr. James Nares. He was appointed a surplice boy at the Chapel Royal in London, and he was one of the tenor singers at the grand Commemoration of Handel in 1784. In 1791 he received from St. Andrew's College a diploma as Doctor of Music and he always insisted upon using that title.

Career

Jackson came to Norfolk, Virginia, in 1796, resided for a while in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and then removed to New York City. In all of these places he found employment as a teacher and organist, and by 1804 he was directing the music in Saint George's Chapel in the growing metropolis. As early as 1812 he had moved on to Boston, was organist in the Brattle Street Church of that city, and with the cooperation of Gottlieb Graupner and Monsieur Mallet began a series of oratorios, some of which were repeated in neighboring towns. During the later years of the war with Great Britain he withdrew to Northampton, but at the conclusion of peace returned to Boston and served successfully as organist at King's Chapel, Trinity, and Saint Paul's. Jackson taught in the best families. In his church work he endeavored to introduce the English method of chanting. He once lent his name to a plan of character notes. Intensely impulsive and irritable in temper, he several times resigned his positions on account of adverse criticism. Jackson's musical writings were numerous. First Principles; or a Treatise on Practical Thorough Bass was published in London in 1795. His later books were printed after his coming to America: David's Psalms (1804); A Choice Collection of Chants (1816); The Choral Companion (1817); and Watts' Divine Hymns Set to Music. He also edited the harmony of Wainwright's Set of Chants (1819), and contributed several of his own to this collection. Perhaps his last work for music was to examine the compilation made by Lowell Mason, who was trying to secure its publication in Boston. This manuscript was favorably recommended and the first edition appeared in 1822 as the Boston Handel and Haydn Society's Collection of Church Music, dedicated to Dr. George K. Jackson. Jackson died on November 18, 1822.

Achievements

• Jackson is today best remembered for his works.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Of Jackson's talents and abilities John R. Parker writes in a sketch printed in Boston within two years of the musician's death: "His voluntaries were elaborate and replete with chromatic harmonies, embracing the most scientific and classic modulations. His interludes to psalmody were particularly appropriate to the sentiments expressed in the subject. .. . His compositions as a harmonist, are of high rank, they possess a profound knowledge of the science, and an originality of modulation wherein are displayed a comprehensive view of effects, the result only of deep and laborious study. "

Connections

In London, Jackson married the eldest daughter of Dr. Samuel Rogers, and eleven children were born to them.

References

• The Memorial History of Boston: Including Suffolk County, Massachusetts, 1630-1880 (Classic Reprint)
• American Writers And Compilers Of Sacred Music