WILLIAM, an eminent English composer, and one of the best organists of his time, was born about 1546, and died at London, 4th July 1623. He was organist of Lincoln cathedral in 1563; and in 1575 he and his master Tallis were gentlemen of the chapel royal, and organists to Queen Elizabeth. Bird was the earliest English composer of madrigals; and among his numerous sacred compositions, some are still much esteemed. His vocal canon Non nobis Domine is well known, and often sung. In his compositions there is a freedom and elegance rarely found in the music of that period.

(g.r.o.)