Frederick Crouch

Frederick William Nicholls Crouch (30 July 1808 – 18 August 1896) was an English composer and cellist.

For the Australian politician, see Frederick Crouch (politician).

Frederick Crouch
Born
Frederick William Nicholls Crouch

(1808-07-30)30 July 1808
Marylebone, London, United Kingdom
Died18 August 1896(1896-08-18) (aged 88)
Portland, Maine, United States
Burial placeLoudon Park Cemetery
Occupation(s)Composer, cellist
Children27, including Cora Pearl
Signature

Biography

Crouch was born in Marylebone in the city of Westminster, in London. He emigrated to the United States in 1849 and settled in Richmond, Virginia. During the Civil War, Crouch took up arms for the Richmond Grays and the 1st Richmond Howitzers, Confederacy.[1]

Crouch was noted as a fine cellist, having played in the King's Theatre as well as St Paul's Cathedral in London, before relocating to the United States, but the majority of his compositions were not successful. His most famous song is "Kathleen Mavourneen". During his years in the United States, Crouch composed two operas and unsuccessfully tried various musical undertakings (i.e., conducting, singing and teaching). Well traveled after the Civil War, Crouch eventually settled in Baltimore, Maryland.

He was married four times, and was the father of 27 children, including the famous French courtesan Cora Pearl.[2]

He died on 18 August 1896 in Portland, Maine, and was buried on Confederate Hill in Baltimore's Loudon Park Cemetery.[2][3][4]

References
  1. A Handbook of American Music and Musicians
  2. "Prof. Crouch Dead". The Baltimore Sun. 19 August 1896. p. 8. Retrieved 8 March 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Confederate Hill
  4. Greene's Biographical Encyclopedia of Composers


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