Dr. Thomas Augustine [Thomas] Arne (12/03/1710 - 05/03/1778), an English composer. Arne was born in King Street, Covent Garden, London in March of 1710.
His family wanted him to have a career in law but Arne was destined for musical greatness. It is said that he learned the piano and violin in secret and would sneak away to the opera and sit in the servent's gallery. Once his parents became aware of his enormous talent for music they consented to allow him to recieve formal training. As a composer he enjoyed greater popularity and success than any other English composer. Charles Burney in his General History of Music wrote "The melody of Arne at this time forms an era in English Music; it was so easy, natural and agreeable to the whole kingdom, that it had an effect upon our national taste.". Arne composed over 80 works for the stage as well as cantatas, odes, glees and chamber works. Rule Britannia is perhaps his best known composition. He was named Doctor of .Music by Oxford University. in 1759 was subsequently refered to as Dr Arne.