Thomas Greatorex

Thomas Greatorex, organist of Westminster Abbey from 1819-1831, is buried in the west cloister of the Abbey. The inscription on his gravestone reads:

Thomas Greatorex F.R.S. F.L.S. Organist of this Collegiate Church. Born October 5 1758. Died July 17 1831

He was born at North Wingfield in Derbyshire, a son of Anthony (d.1814) and his wife Ann. His sister Martha was also an organist. Thomas studied music under Dr Benjamin Cooke, Abbey organist, and later was the Earl of Sandwich's musical director. He sang in the Concerts of Ancient Music, set up in 1776, and was later conductor. After serving as organist at Carlisle cathedral for a few years he took up teaching and was appointed organist at the Abbey in 1819, succeeding George Ebenezer Williams.

He married Elizabeth and their children were William-Anthony, Thomas, James, Henry-Wellington (who married Irish born artist Eliza Pratt), Arthur, Edward and Annie-Martha.

As well as being a masterly organist, conductor and teacher he also had a great interest in science and discovered a new method of measuring the altitude of mountains and he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. There is a story that George IV, when Prince Regent, once said to him 'My father is Rex, but you are a Greater Rex.' He caught a cold while fishing which caused his death and he is buried near his old teacher Dr Cooke.

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography