John Beard

John Beard (c. 1716 – 5 February 1791) was an English tenor of the 18th century. He is best remembered for creating an extensive number of roles in the operas and oratorios of George Frideric Handel.

Beard's date of birth and parentage are uncertain. He can first be positively identified as a boy treble in the Chapel Royal choir at the coronation of George II in 1727. An early introduction to the music of Handel occurred in 1732, when the boys in the choir took part in a semi-staged performance of Handel's Esther. Beard left the choir at Easter 1734,

Following the defeat of the government army at the Battle of Prestonpans in September 1745 during the Jacobite rebellion, Beard was one of the quartet who sang a newly written patriotic song "God save great George our King" after a performance at Drury Lane. The song was hurriedly written by Thomas Arne, and soon became established as the British National Anthem.

In 1743, Beard became a member of the Sublime Society of Beefsteaks, founded around 1735 by John Rich, the proprietor of Covent Garden theatre, his scene painter George Lambert and William Hogarth. The members met on Saturdays at Covent Garden theatre to eat and drink, and Beard remained a member until his death. He served as President on a number of occasions.

His marriage, in January 1739, to the widow Lady Henrietta Herbert, only daughter of James Waldegrave, 1st Earl Waldegrave caused much scandal: Lord Egmont commented that "there is no prudence below the girdle". Lady Henrietta died in 1753, and in February 1758 Beard married again. His second wife was Charlotte Rich, a daughter of John Rich. After John Rich's death in 1761, Beard took over the management of Covent Garden theatre until such time as it was sold, in accordance with the terms of Rich's will. The theatre was eventually sold for £60,000 in 1767, and the money was divided equally between Rich's widow and his four daughters.

1767 was also the year when increasing deafness forced Beard to retire. He had been appointed 'Vocal performer in extraordinary' by George III in 1764, and the salary of £100 p.a. allowed him to live comfortably in retirement at Hampton, where he died in 1791.