William Gardiner (15 March 1770, in Leicester – 16 November 1853) was an English composer who is best known for his hymns. He published two collections of his works: Sacred Melodies (1808) and Music and Friends (1838).[1] Gardiner's promotion of Ludwig van Beethoven led to the first performances of Beethoven's music in England in 1794.[2][3]

In his Music and Friends, Gardiner told the story of how the first work of Beethoven became known in Britain after arriving in a violin case of a priest fleeing the French Revolutionary army.[4]

Vegetarianism

Gardiner was a teetotaller and vegetarian.[5] He lived on a milk and vegetable diet for several years but gave it up after a life-changing experience.[5] Gardiner stated that on one occasion he was dining with a "Mr. Brooke" an eccentric who placed a beef-steak on the table.[5] He was offended that Gardiner refused to eat meat. Mr. Brooke put a horse pistol to Gardiner's head and declared he would shoot him if he did not eat the beef-steak. After this experience Gardiner gave up his vegetarian diet and resumed his former mode of living.[5]

Selected publications

• Music and Friends (3 volumes, 1838-1853)
• The Music of Nature (1849)

References

• Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1889). "Gardiner, William (1770-1853)" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 20. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

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