William Jackson of Masham

William Jackson (born 9 January 1815 in Masham, Yorkshire, England; died 15 April 1866 in Bradford, England) was an English organist and composer,^[1] who also spent some time being a miller, his family's profession, in their home-town.^[2]

A self-taught musician, as a child and young adult he learned to play 15 different instruments and set about repairing barrel organs.^[3] With the assistance of his father, he built his own organ and became organist at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Masham, in 1832.^[1] He won first prize in the Huddersfield Glee Club in 1840.^[1] In 1852, he established a music business and became organist of St. John's Church at Bradford.^[1] Later, he took the organ at Horton Chapel, was conductor of Bradford Choral Union, and chorusmaster of Bradford Festivals.^[1] His works include two oratorios (Deliverance of Israel from Babylon and Isaiah); two cantatas (The Year and The Praise of Music); the 103d Psalm for solo, choir and orchestra; sacred music, glees; part-songs; and songs.^[1]

Jackson died suddenly in April 1866 and was buried in Undercliffe Cemetery in Bradford. His son, also named William, became an organist and composer too.^[4]