GEORGE KNOWIL JACKSON


George Knowil Jackson (b. Oxford, England, baptized 15 April 1757; d. Boston, Mass., 18 Nov. 1822), a composer, teacher, and organist, received a Mus. Doc. degree at St. Andrew's University in 1791. He emigrated to the United States in 1796, living in Norfolk and Alexandria, Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland, and Newark and New Brunswick, New Jersey (from 1798 to 1801, he was music master at Miss Hay's School for Young Ladies in the latter), before settling in New York City in 1801 as organist at St. George's Chapel (Episcopal). Though he is listed in New York directories from 1802 to 1812, he is said also to have lived and taught in Hartford, Connecticut, between 1805 and 1807. Leaving New York for Boston early in the War of 1812, he soon removed to Northampton (1813-15), where he gave at least one public concert. Returning to Boston in 1815, he taught and played organ at Trinity Church and St. Paul's (1820-22). Lowell Mason's The Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music (Boston, 1822) is dedicated to him, both for his editorial advice on the volume and 'for his exquisite taste, profound knowledge, and unrivalled skill in the art and science of music.' Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, owns several volumes from his personal music library, including much of his music.

          Amerigrove, Baker's, Bio-bib, DAB, Grove, Metcalf, Sonneck-Upton, Wolfe. Also Johnson 1943, ch. 7; Johnson 1943a; Kaufman 1981, p. 113, 174, 244; Osterhout 1978, p. 181-82; Parker 1825, p. 129-31; Steel 1982, p. 58n.

DAVID'S PSALMS, 1804

ASMI 282 


David's Psalms [.] Set to music expressly for the use of churches, chapels, meetings, & private families[.] New, and selected from the best ancient and modern authors[.] Adapted, composed, & arranged, for a single voice with an accompaniment for the organ [.] The harmonies being annexed in small notes. Also set for four voices as used in choirs for the further improvement of psalmody in singing schools by Dr. Jackson organist of Saint George's Chapel New York[.] Copy right secured 1804.

2 p.l., 56 p. 16 x 24.5 cm. Engraved throughout.

Letter recommending book dated New York 11 Nov. 1803; t-p. reports 1804 copyright. 1st p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; 2d 1. recto, 'Copy of a Letter from the Right Revd. Bishop Moore recommending the work'; verso blank; p. 1-56, music.

          36 compositions, each set twice: once for voice w. keyboard accompaniment & once for 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Handel, [Jackson] (21), Wm. Pirsson, Dr. Wainwright. 21 1st pr. apparently claimed; 22 identified (add ROXWELL), also 5 1st Am. pr. (CHAR-MOUTH, DUKES, PIERSON, ST. GEORGE'S, ST. LUKES). 1 22 American compositions; 10 non-American, 4 unidentified [the 1st Am. prs. except CHARMOUTH] (1 attrib. Amer-ican, 21 assumed to be American [i.e. by Jackson]; 10 traced to non-American sources). 

14 Core Repertory.

          Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). DLC*, MH.

NOTE: An asterisk, which generally indicates first printings, appears with 21 compositions. Though its meaning is not explained, it probably also identifies first printings here, most likely by Jackson himself.

POPE'S UNIVERSAL PRAYER AND THE DYING CHRISTIAN, CA. 1808

ASMI 283 

Pope's Universal Prayer and his celebrated ode The Dying Christian To His Soul[.] Set to music by Dr. G. K. Jackson. Copy right secured Price 2 dollars

1 p.l., 10, 12 p.32 x 24 cm. Engraved throughout; p. 12 signed 'E Riley Engraver.'

[ca. 1808.] Date taken from Wolfe (No. 4548). p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; p. 1, caption title, 'Pope's Universal Prayer'; p. 1-10, music; p. 1, caption title, 'Pope's Celebrated Ode. The Dying Christian to his Soul'; p. 1-12, music.

          2 set-pieces, 1 for voice, chorus & pianoforte, 1 for voice, chorus, violin & pianoforte; full text. T-p. attribs. both to Jackson. 2 identified as 1st pr. Both are American. 

No Core Repertory.

          Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). Wolfe 4548. CtY, DLC*, NN.

NOTE: The separate pagination and price of the two pieces (the first page of each bears a price tag of $1.00) indicates that they could be sold either individually or together.

ASMI pp. 347-349.