About Henry Butler
Lived 1601 – 1652 (aged 50–51). Henry Butler was a British composer and viol player.
Henry Butler (born in England, died 1652 in Spain) was an English composer and viol player. From 1623 until his death he lived in Spain, serving as a musician in the chapel of Philip IV, under the names Enrique (or Enrrique) Botelero and Enrico Butler.
Butler and William Young, an English viol player working at the Austrian court in Innsbruck, were the first English composers to call their works sonatas. Young published 11 sonatas in 1653, whereas all of Butler's works have survived only in undated manuscripts. His three sonatas were for violin, bass viol and continuo.
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Important facts
People in Henry Butler's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Henry Butler?
English composer and viol player
When was Henry Butler born?
Henry Butler was born in 1601.
When did Henry Butler die?
Henry Butler died in 1652.
What was Henry Butler's occupation?
Henry Butler was a composer and viol player.
What nationality was Henry Butler?
Henry Butler was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Henry Butler (viol player)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henry Butler. https://biography.guide/henry-butler/
MLA: "Henry Butler." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henry-butler/.
Chicago: "Henry Butler." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henry-butler/.
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