Richard Goodson facts for kids

Richard Goodson (born around 1655 – died 13 January 1718) was an English musician and composer. He was a special professor of music at the University of Oxford, called the Heather Professor of Music.

Life as a Musician

Richard Goodson's father was also named Richard and ran a pub in Oxford. Young Richard started singing in the choir at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford when he was a boy in 1667.

Later, from 1675 to 1681, he became one of the "gentlemen of the choir." This meant he was a grown-up singer in the cathedral.

Learning and Teaching Music

During this time, Edward Lowe was the organist and choir master at the cathedral. Mr. Lowe was also the Heather Professor of Music at Oxford University. He became a good friend and teacher to Richard Goodson.

When Edward Lowe passed away in 1682, Richard Goodson took over his job as the music professor. This was a very important role at the university.

Goodson's Other Roles

Richard Goodson also became the organist at New College, Oxford in 1683. An organist is someone who plays the organ, a large musical instrument.

In 1692, he became the organist at Christ Church Cathedral too. He helped add more music books and papers to Oxford's music school.

Family and Legacy

Richard Goodson died on January 13, 1718, in a place called Great Tew, Oxfordshire. He was buried at Christ Church Cathedral.

He had at least three children with his wife, Mary. One of his sons, also named Richard, followed in his father's footsteps. This son took over his father's jobs as the music professor and the organist at Christ Church.

Goodson's Music

Richard Goodson wrote different kinds of music. Most of his music was for choirs.

Choral Works

One of his pieces is a setting of "canticles" for a morning church service called Mattins. Canticles are special hymns or songs from the Bible. This piece is kept in the collections at Durham Cathedral.

Unpublished Music

Most of Richard Goodson's music was not printed and sold during his lifetime. Instead, it stayed in handwritten form, called manuscripts. Many of these are still found in Oxford today.

Some of his musical pieces were created for important events at the university.