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On March 29, 1719, Sir John Hawkins was born. Hawkins was the author of The
General History which was the first history of music book in English.
It took Hawkins 16 years to write A General History of the Science and Practice of Music which was published in 1776. Although this publication was respected, it soon was overshadowed, with the help of the likes such as Dr Callcott who composed a mocking song against Hawkins, by Charles Burney's General History of Music
(1776–89). However, in years to come Hawkins's music history was
considered to be superior to Burney's music history (compare the 1875
edition of Hawkins's work). Burney's discourse on Handel and Bach was
viewed as being particularly inadequate.
During his life, he wrote many works, including A General History of the Science and Practice of Music and his Life of Samuel Johnson in memory of his friend. He was appointed as a magistrate and later became Chairman of the Quarter Session for Middlesex.
In 1753 Hawkins married Sidney Storer (1726–1793), second
daughter of the attorney Peter Storer. With two daughters who died in
infancy, their children were two sons, John Sidney Hawkins and Henry, and a daughter, the novelist Laetitia Hawkins.He was knighted in 1772 for his services.
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