Luke Flintoft

The Reverend Luke Flintoft, composer, was a Minor Canon of Westminster Abbey from 1720-1727 and was buried in the south cloister on 6th November 1727 but he has no marker. He was educated at Cambridge where he became a chorister and was chaplain at King's College. From 1704-1714 he was a Vicar Choral at Lincoln cathedral and was vicar at Inkberrow in Yorkshire. In 1715 he became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal (described in their record as coming from Worcester) and reader in the Chapel at Whitehall.

According to an entry in the Abbey Chapter Book 15 guineas was paid towards his release from prison where he had been confined for debt. The Precentor's book notes monies borrowed on his behalf. A creditor administered to his estate. His importance in music is the claim made for him as the originator of the double-chant in G minor, an early example of the form.

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography