Richard Clark (musician)

Richard Clark (1780–1856) was an English musician and writer.

Clark was born at Datchet on 5 April 1780; his mother Elizabeth (b. abt 1753) was a daughter of John Sale the elder (b. 1724 Gainsborough, according to his Grave Stone at St Georges Chapel, Windsor) a lay clerk of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, where Clark was admitted at an early age as chorister, under Theodore Aylward. He also sang at Eton College, under Stephen Heather.

In 1802, on the death of his grandfather, Clark succeeded him as lay clerk at St. George's Chapel and Eton College, holding both appointments to 1811. In 1805 was appointed secretary of the Glee Club, and about the same period occasionally acted as deputy at the Chapel Royal for James Bartleman; at St. Paul's Cathedral for his uncle John Sale; and at Westminster for his cousin, John Bernard Sale. On 3 July 1814 he was elected a member of the Royal Society of Musicians.

On 1 Oct. 1820 Clark was appointed a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, in the place of Joseph Corfe. He also acted as deputy-organist for J. Stafford Smith. In 1827 he became a vicar choral of St. Paul's Cathedral and in the following year a lay clerk at Westminster Abbey. He advocated that the singing men and choristers of cathedrals should regain ancient privileges, of which in over time they had been deprived.

During his life, Clark kept a scrap book which is held at the Westminster Abbey Archives. This large scrap book with a blue outer covering contains letters, and details of various committee meetings held concerning the planning of the Coronation of William The 4th, George the Fourth, Queen Victoria, and the Installation of the Knights of the Bath.

Clark died suddenly at the Litlington Tower, Westminster Abbey, on 5 October 1856.

Clark's first wife was Jane Wright also born in 1780 By Jane, Richard had five daughters and one son.

Caroline Francis b.1804

Sophia Louise b. 1805 d. 1861

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