(b Dublin, 28 May 1779; d nr Devizes, 25 Feb 1852). Irish poet and musician. In London from 1799, he won a vast following for his verses, personal charm and singing and above all for his Selection of Irish Melodies (1808 -34 ; accompaniments by John Stevenson), kindling interest in little-known Irish folk music. Similar collections of Sacred Songs (1816) and Popular National Airs (1818 -28) followed. But it was with the exotic story-poem Lalla Rookh (1817) that his colourful imagery made an impact on Romantic composers; portions of it were set by Spontini, Félicien David, Sterndale Bennett, Schumann and C. V. Stanford among others.




