Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley, Jr. (b. Bristol, 12/11/1757; d. London, 5/23/1834), son of the great hymn-writer, Charles Wesley (1707-1788). The family was very musical, and young Charles and his brother Samuel gave private concerts at their home. Charles was a child prodigy who played the harpsichord at the age of three, although his father did not allow him to become a chorister at the Chapel Royal and discouraged him from becoming a professional musician. Charles did study organ, however, and became an accomplished organist, first at the Lock Hospital (1797-1802) and later at the Marylebone Parish Church (1817-1834). He composed some hymn tunes, anthems, voluntaries, concertos, and string quartets, and edited a new edition of his uncle John Wesley's Sacred Harmony in 1822.

Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988