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 • Blackfriars
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John Dowland
Birth: 1563
Death: Feb. 20, 1626

Composer. He was called "The Melancholy Madrigalist" for the haunting, bittersweet quality of his vocal works. Born in London, he turned to composition after failing to secure a position at Queen Elizabeth's court, possibly because he was Catholic, but probably due to a difficult personality. He served as a court musician to Christian IV of Denmark from 1598 to 1606, when gambling debts forced him to return to England. Dowland's four collections of lute songs, published between 1597 and 1612, were hugely popular and spread his fame all over Europe. Among his "hits" were "Flow My Tears", "Awake, Sweet Love", "Fine Knacks for Ladies", "Sweet, Stay Awhile", and "In Darkness Let Me Dwell". He also published an exceptional book of instrumental pieces, "Lachrimae, or Seven Tears" (1604), scored for a sextet of Renaissance instruments. In 1612 Dowland was finally appointed Royal Musician by King James I and around 1622 was awarded an honorary doctorate from Cambridge. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Ann's, Blackfriars. The church was destroyed in the Great London Fire of 1666; St. Ann's was not rebuilt, but the churchyard still exists. (bio by: Robert Edwards) 

 
Search Amazon for John Dowland
 
Burial:
St Ann Churchyard
Blackfriars
Greater London, England
Plot: Unmarked
 
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Nov 21, 2004
Find A Grave Memorial# 9931745
John Dowland
Added by: Erik Skytte
 
John Dowland
Added by: Robert Edwards
 
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- purple-lady
 Added: Feb. 20, 2009
Thank you for composing such beautiful songs. I'm a singer delighting in learning your works. May jarring sounds not banish your friendly sleep
- Sherry Britton
 Added: Sep. 27, 2008
Thank you for your legacy. Rest in peace.
- Ken MacLeod
 Added: Jul. 24, 2008
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