Attwood, Thomas (1783–1856)

British Chartist politician. He founded the Birmingham Political Union 1830 and was member of parliament for Birmingham 1832–39. He presented the first Chartist Petition to parliament July 1839 which was rejected, leading to riots across the country. A banker by profession, he favoured the introduction of paper money and the easier availability of credit.

Attwood, Thomas (1765–1838)

English organist and composer. Organist of St Paul's Cathedral, London, and composer to the Chapel Royal from 1796 to his death, he was one of the original members of the Philharmonic Society in 1813, and a professor at the Royal Academy of Music on its foundation in 1823. He was also a friend of Mendelssohn, whose three Preludes and Fugues for organ, Op. 37, were dedicated to him.

He was a chorister at the Chapel Royal and later studied in Naples and Vienna, where he was a pupil of Mozart 1785–87. His harmony and counterpoint exercises for Mozart still survive, with Mozart's corrections.

Works over 30 dramatic compositions; coronation anthems for George IV and William IV, service settings, anthems and other church music, and songs.