Charles Sandys Packer

Charles Sandys Stuart Shipley Packer (1810–1883), commonly referred to as Charles S. Packer, was an Australian classical music composer, born in Reading, Berkshire, England. He was a graduate of The Royal Academy of Music in London. Packer was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to penal transportation to Tasmania in 1839 on the ship Mangles. On release, he became a successful teacher and performer In 1863, he was convicted of bigamy and sentenced to five years' imprisonment in Darlinghurst Gaol with hard labour.

On 30 November 1871, as organist to the York Street Wesleyan Church, he shared the programme with Frederick Morley at the opening of the Bourke Street Wesleyan Church organ.

He died in poverty in 1883.

Works 1855 City of Sydney Polka Reminiscence of the garden palace The crown of thorns : an oratorio — "his greatest work" Australia hail! Australian national hymn

Recordings 1999 Classical Music Of Colonial Australia - Polka

Family The organist Frederick Augustus Packer was a nephew.