Blow, John (b Newark, baptised 23 February, 1649 - d Westminster, 1 October, 1708)
John Blow received his early musica training as a choirster of the Chapel Royal. He then worked as organist of Westminster Abbey from 1668 to 1679. In 1674 he became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and he succeeded Pelham Humfrey as Master of the Children; in 1676 he was also organist there. While still active at the Chapel Royal, where he was also named official composer in 1700, he was Almoner and Master of the Choristers at St Paul's Cathedral between 1687 and 1703, and in 1695 he returned to Westminster Abbey to succeed Purcell (who had served his apprenticeship under Blow) as organist.