- Purcell, Henry (b London, 1659 - d Westminster, 21 November, 1695)
- Purcell was a chorister in the Chapel Royal until his voice broke in 1673; he was then made assistant to John Hingeston whom he succeeded as organ maker and keeper of King's instruments in 1683. In 1677 he was appointed composer-in-ordinary for king's voices, and in 1679 he succeeded John Blow, his teacher, as organist of Westminster Abbey.
Purcell married in either 1680 or 1681, and from that time he began writing music for the theatre. In 1682, he was appointed organist of the Chapel Royal. His court appointments were renewed by James II in 1685, and William III in 1689, and on each occasion he had the duty of providing a second organ for the coronation. This final royal occasion for which he provided music was Queen Mary's funeral in 1695. Before the end of the year Purcell himself died, and was buried in Westminster Abbey on 26 November.