William Jackson

William Jackson was the son of an Exeter grocer and from an early age showed musical and artistic talent. He was a cathedral chorister in Exeter from the age of twelve to fifteen when he was sent to London to study at the Chapel Royal. Returning to Exeter in 1748 he earned his living as a musician. Musical compositions, mainly secular and sacred vocal works, followed and of these the comic opera, The Lord of the Manor, written in 1780 was perhaps the most successful.