Goss, John

Composer

b Fareham, Hampshire 1800, d Brixton, S London 1880. Went to live with a London uncle in 1811, becoming a chorister at the Chapel Royal. Organist at Stockwell Chapel, St Luke’s Chelsea, then St Paul’s Cathedral 1838–72, succeeding his teacher Thos Attwood and only then beginning to compose anthems. Prof of Harmony at RAM 1827–74; composer to Chapel Royal from 1856. Composed many hymn tunes and over 50 anthems and service settings; he never began a work of composition without a prayer, and prefixed many with ‘INDA’ (In Nomine Dei, Amen). Edited several collections including the music of Mercer’s The Church Psalter and Hymn Book in 1854, ‘the most important hymnal with music to have thus far appeared in England’ (Wesley Milgate). Considered as second only to S S Wesley among 19th cent composers of church music. Nos.103B, 376, 466*.