The Ancaster family had a long tradition of entertaining visitors, from royalty to famous people of the day in politics and the arts, and among those who were guests at Grimsthorpe Castle in the late 18th century was Thomas Linley the younger, a composer who had already achieved a reputation as "the English Mozart". He was born at Abbey Green, Bath, on 7th May 1756, the third son of the composer, harpsichordist and singing teacher, Thomas Linley (1733-1795) and his wife Mary. The entire family were similarly talented, daughters Elizabeth Ann, Mary and Maria all becoming accomplished singers and son Samuel a notable oboist. Thomas was by far the most musically gifted child ever to be seen in England, studying theory and practice under his father and his skill as a violinist with John Richards, a prominent soloist and orchestral leader in Bath at that time. His earliest known concert was announced by the Bath Journal of 25th July 1763 in which a notice appeared saying: For the Benefit of Mr. Linley. At Loggan's Room at the Hot Wells on the 29th Inst. Will be perform'd A Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Music. The Vocal Parts by Mr. Linley, Mr. Higgins and Master Linley. The First Violin by Mr Richards of Bath. End of the 1st Act a Concerto on the Violin by Master Linley, a child of seven years old. End of the 2nd Act an Elegy of Jackson's by Mr. and Master Linley and Mr. Higgins. He soon became a famous child prodigy, painted by Thomas Gainsborough and, at the age of 12, left for Italy to study with the famous violinist Pietro Nardini. He met Mozart there in 1770 and performed with him, Wolfgang accompanying on the piano, and on returning to England in 1771 at the age of 15, began his career on the concert platform and as a composer, writing twenty violin concertos in the next five years. In 1778, after a successful performance, The Morning Post carried a report on March 16th saying:
The very warm applause he received last night proves that an English audience will give proper encouragement to true merit and genius, even though it is the production of their own country.
In July that year, Linley went with his sisters to Grimsthorpe Castle as guests of the Duke of Ancaster and his family. On August 5th, he went boating on the lake in the grounds with two friends but a storm suddenly blew up with high winds and heavy rain. The boat overturned and, whilst attempting to swim ashore, the 22 year old Linley tragically drowned.
The Morning Chronicle reported on August 11th:
On Wednesday last Mr. Thomas Linley fell into a lake belonging to his Grace the Duke of Ancaster and was unfortunately drowned; he remained under water full forty minutes, so that every effort made to restore him to life proved ineffectual. This accident has deprived the profession to which he belonged of one of its principal ornaments, and society of a very accomplished and valuable member.
Linley was buried on 11th August 1778 in the parish church at Edenham, the
local church frequented by the Ancaster family. His sisters all later died
of consumption, Maria in 1784, Mary in 1787 and Elizabeth Ann in 1792
while his brother Samuel was also drowned in 1795. Thomas Linley senior
died in November of the same year, it was said at the time, of a broken
heart. Mozart is on record as saying: "Linley was a true genius".
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