Joseph Antonio Emidy

Joseph Antonio Emidy (1775 – 23 April 1835) was a Guinea-born musician who was enslaved in early life, before becoming a notable and celebrated violinist and composer in Cornwall.

Born in Guinea, Emidy was sold into slavery as a child to Portuguese traders who took him to Brazil and later to Portugal. In Portugal, he became a virtuoso violinist in the Lisbon Opera. He was press-ganged by British Admiral Sir Edward Pellew during the Napoleonic wars and spent the next four years as a ship's fiddler.

In 1799, he was abandoned in Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. In Falmouth, Emidy earned his living as a violinist and a teacher. Emidy became the leader of the Truro Philharmonic Orchestra, and went on to become one of the most celebrated and influential musical figures in early 19th-century Cornwall. He composed many works, including concertos and a symphony, but no known copies survive.

In 1802, he married Jane Hutchins, a local tradesman’s daughter, and they had eight children. They moved to Truro around 1815.

He died in Truro, Cornwall, and his grave is in Kenwyn churchyard.

Transcript of his gravestone reads:

HERE LIE DEPOSITED The mortal remains of Mr Jos:h Antonia Emidy Who departed this life, On the 23:rd of April 1835 AGED 60 YEARS

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