Weldon, John (1676-1736)

English organist and composer. He held various organist's posts in Oxford and London, and in 1700 won first prize for his setting of Congreve's masque The Judgement of Paris against John Eccles, Gottfried Finger, and Daniel Purcell.

Weldon was educated at Eton, where he studied music under the college organist John Walton; he later became a pupil of Purcell in London. In 1694 he was appointed organist of New College, Oxford. In 1701 he became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal and in 1708 organist there on the death of John Blow; he also became organist of St Bride's and in 1714 of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Works Dramatic masque The Judgment of Paris (1701); music for The Tempest (about 1712), songs for Cibber's She would and she would not and other plays.

Other anthems; songs.