Croft, William (1678–1727)

English organist and composer. His most famous work is his setting of the Burial Service, which is still in use. Much other church music survives, including two volumes of anthems published under the title Musica Sacra in 1724. Other works include theatrical pieces and keyboard music.

He was a chorister of the Chapel Royal under John Blow. He later became organist of St Anne's, Soho, from 1700 and, with Jeremiah Clarke, of the Chapel Royal from 1704. He was Master of the Children there and organist of Westminster Abbey from 1708, succeeding Blow. He received a PhD in music from Oxford University in 1713.