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Linley, Thomas 1732-95
English composer

Born in Wells, Somerset, he taught singing and conducted concerts at Bath early in his career. In 1775 Richard Brinsley Sheridan induced him to set his comic opera The Duenna to music. In 1776 they and a successful physician, James Ford, bought David Garrick's share of Drury Lane Theatre, London. During the next 15 years Linley was its musical director, composing songs, operas, cantatas and madrigals. Of his sons, Thomas (1756-78), a friend of Mozart, possessed great musical talent, and William (1767-1835) composed glees and songs. His daughter, Elizabeth Ann (1754-92), a singer, married Sheridan.