White (or Whyte), Robert (c. 1538–1574)

English composer. He was choirmaster at Ely, Chester, and Westminster Abbey, and wrote church music including psalm motets, anthems, and Lamentations.

White was probably the son of a London organ builder, also named Robert White, and took a degree in music at Cambridge University in 1560. In 1561 he succeeded Tye as choirmaster at Ely Cathedral. He married Tye's daughter Ellen in 1565 and left Ely in 1566 (he was succeeded by John Farrant) to become choirmaster of Chester Cathedral until about 1570, when he went to London to take up a similar post at Westminster Abbey. Along with nearly all his family, he succumbed to the plague of 1574.

Works Choral 19 Latin motets; English anthems.

Other In Nomines for viols; hexachord fantasia for keyboard.