Background
Jonathan Battishill was born in May 1738 in London, United Kingdom.
Jonathan Battishill was born in May 1738 in London, United Kingdom.
Beginning at the age of nine, he sang as a chorister at St. Paul's Cathedral initially under the direction of composer Charles King. After his voice broke he studied organ, music composition, and singing under William Savage, almoner and master of the choristers.
He began appearing as a tenor soloist in London concerts during the mid-1750s. He was organist of of St Clement Eastcheap and Christ Church, Newgate Street.
Until 1764 Battishill wrote chiefly for the theatre (incidental songs, pantomime music, and an opera in collaboration with Michael Arne, the son of Thomas Arne), but his later compositions are chiefly glees, part-songs and church music.
The death of his wife in 1777 so crushed him that he composed no more. From 1777 on Battishill devoted himself mainly to his book collection. In 1801 Battishill was buried in St Paul's near the grave of William Boyce in keeping with his own wishes.
In 1758 he became a member of the Madrigal Society and in 1761 a member of the Royal Society of Musicians.
In 1763 Battishill married Elizabeth Davies, a singer at Covent Garden theatre where he was harpsichordist. She retired from her profession when she married.