Chappell, W. (William), 1809-1888

British musical antiquary.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Strafford Lodge [Weybridge], to Joseph Crawhall, 1878 Nov. 19. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 460124713

Chappell was an English writer on music, an owner of the London musical firm of Chappell & Co., an antiquary, and ballad scholar.

From the description of W. (William) Chappell English ballad index collection, 18--. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 612844830

William Chappell (1809-1888) was the eldest son of Samuel Chappell, one of the founders (1810) of the London firm of music publishers, concert agents, and piano manufacturers known as Chappell & Co. After Samuel Chappell's death in 1834, William continued running the business with his mother and brothers. William was noted for his interest in early music and in 1840 he founded (with Rimbault, Macfarren, and others) the Musical Antiquarian Society. He left the family firm in 1843 and went into partnership with Cramer and Beale, as Cramer, Beale & Chappell where he remained until his retirement in 1861. He took principal part in the founding of the Percy Society, the Ballad Society, and in 1874 he assisted in founding the Musical Association. He is especially know for his publication of A collection of national English airs (1838-1839), and Popular music of the olden time (1855-1859). It has been said that the modern revival of interest in English folk-songs owes much to the work of William Chappell.

From the guide to the W. (William) Chappell English ballad index collection, ca. 1800-1899., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

William Chappell was an English publisher, author, and musicologist. He joined the firm founded by his father, Chappell's, a publishing house and concert agency, that also sold pianos. William's interest was in music history, and he wrote several works on the topic, as well as founding the Musical Antiquarian Society. He left the family firm in 1843 to form Cramer, Beale & Chappell; during this time, he wrote a general history of music, and helped found the Musical Association. He is remembered as a key figure in awakening public interest in English folk music.

From the description of Wm. Chappell letter to My dear sir, 1860 July 7. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 66267269

English music publisher and antiquary.

From the description of Autograph letters signed (3) : Oatlands Park, 20 January 1875, 22 May 1876, and [n.d.], to Joseph Bennett, 1875 Jan. 20, 1876 May 22, and n.d. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270564293

From the description of Autograph letter signed, dated : London, 16 February 1844, to an unidentified recipient, 1844 Feb. 16. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270873239