Thomas Linley
Who was he?
Wikipedia:
Thomas Linley (17 January 1733 – 19 November 1795), English
musician, was born at
Wells, Somerset,
and
studied
music
at Bath, where he settled as a singing-master and
conductor of the concerts.
From 1774 he was engaged in the management at Drury Lane theatre,
London, composing or compiling the music of many of the pieces produced
there, besides songs and madrigals, which rank high among English
compositions.
Why was he in Bath?
Thomas was a music teacher and harpsichord player. The family had
lived in Bath for many years, firstly at Abbey Green, then at
Pierrepont Place and finally at 11, Royal
Crescent (below).
His second daughter,
Elizabeth Ann, was a
beautiful and talented singer. She had many
proposals of marriage, but on 18 March 1772 she eloped with
Richard
Brinsley Sheridan from the Royal Crescent to France. However, they
were both underage and so
the marriage was invalid until Elizabeth’s father eventually consented
officially on 13 April 1772 at Marylebone, London, one day after her
last public appearance. In 1772 Sheridan fought a famous duel against
Captain Thomas Mathews in defence of Elizabeth's character, which
Mathews had defamed in a newspaper article.
The text reads
"Thomas Linley lived here and from this house his daughter Elizabeth
eloped with Richard Brinsley Sheridan on the evening of the 18th March
1772"
Location map of 11, Royal Crescent:
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