Henry F. Williams

Henry F. Williams (August 13, 1813 – ) was a musician and composer in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th century. He was one of two black musicians to play in the orchestra at the 1872 National Peace Jubilee. His arrangements received widespread popularity. Later in his life he was primarily a music teacher. Williams has been called the second best known black composer of his time after Frank Johnson, with whom he worked.

Early life

Henry (Harry) F. Williams was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 13, 1813. He began to study music at the age of seven. As a young man, he studied with Peter Albrecht von Hagen Jr. and, until the age of 21 along with Alfred Howard and Henry Thacker. He was later a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, which opened its doors in 1867. In the early 1840s, he ran a music studio in Boston.

Career

Williams primarily played the violin, double bass, and cornet, favoring the violin and cornet, but he also played the violoncello, baritone trombone, piano-forte,

He was connected with Francis Johnson's Band in Philadelphia, when Joseph Anderson Sr. led the group. Later in the 1880s, he moved to Illinois, where he became dean of the Illinois College of Music He may have been living at the Boston Almshouse and Hospital in 1900.

Noted works

A number of arrangements received wide acclaim. The ballad "Lauriette", published in 1840, was one of his first pieces that was widely sold. a number of polka-redowas, mazurkas, quadrilles, overtures, Come, Love, and List Awhile (1842) Croton Waltz (1844) O Give Thanks (c1846) Sunny Side Polka (1852) Campanello Polka (1852) Rose Schottische (1852) Climax polka (1853) Chitarra Polka (1853) Parisien Waltzes (1854) Keep Me Near to Thee (1884) Safe in Christ (1884) Pass Back the Light (1884)