William Holder
Encyclopedia
William Holder FRS
(1616 – January 24, 1698) was an English
clergyman and music theorist of the 17th century. His most notable work was his widely known 1694 publication A Treatise on the Natural Grounds and Principles of Harmony.
, where he became a fellow in 1640. He married Susanna Wren, sister of Christopher Wren
, in 1643. In 1662 he received a D.D. Oxon., and was a fellow of the Royal Society
in 1663. He became a Canon
of St. Paul's
in 1672, and served as sub-dean of the Chapel Royal
from 1674 until 1689 when he resigned. In 1687 he had been preferred to the rectory of Therfield
. A few of his musical compositions survive in the British Library
in the Harleian MSS 7338 and 7339.
In 1660 at Bletchingdon
he taught a deaf mute, Alexander Popham
to speak "plainly and distinctly, and with a good and graceful tone". The division of credit for this between Holder and John Wallis became a matter of dispute in the Royal Society.
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(1616 – January 24, 1698) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
clergyman and music theorist of the 17th century. His most notable work was his widely known 1694 publication A Treatise on the Natural Grounds and Principles of Harmony.
Life
He studied at Pembroke Hall, CambridgeUniversity of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, where he became a fellow in 1640. He married Susanna Wren, sister of Christopher Wren
Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren FRS is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history.He used to be accorded responsibility for rebuilding 51 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, on Ludgate Hill, completed in 1710...
, in 1643. In 1662 he received a D.D. Oxon., and was a fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1663. He became a Canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of St. Paul's
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
in 1672, and served as sub-dean of the Chapel Royal
Chapel Royal
A Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...
from 1674 until 1689 when he resigned. In 1687 he had been preferred to the rectory of Therfield
Therfield
Therfield is both a small village of approximately 4,761 acres and a civil parish which sits upon the chalk range, three miles southwest of Royston, and six miles northeast of Baldock) and within the English county of Hertfordshire.-Ancient history:The name Therfield is a variation of Tharfield...
. A few of his musical compositions survive in the British Library
British Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and is the world's largest library in terms of total number of items. The library is a major research library, holding over 150 million items from every country in the world, in virtually all known languages and in many formats,...
in the Harleian MSS 7338 and 7339.
In 1660 at Bletchingdon
Bletchingdon
Bletchingdon is a village and civil parish north of Kidlington and southwest of Bicester in Oxfordshire, England.-Manor and estates:...
he taught a deaf mute, Alexander Popham
Alexander Popham
Alexander Popham, of Littlecote, Wiltshire was an English politician. He is now remembered for his role as patron of the philosopher John Locke....
to speak "plainly and distinctly, and with a good and graceful tone". The division of credit for this between Holder and John Wallis became a matter of dispute in the Royal Society.