George Dubourg

George Dubourg was an English writer on music and a songwriter, born in 1799 and remembered above all for The Violin, first published in 1836. The book offered readers a mix of history, portraits of notable players, practical advice, and anecdotes, and it was reprinted many times after its first appearance.

He also wrote song lyrics, with John Parry’s Wanted a Governess often noted as his best-known song. During much of his long life he contributed to newspapers, especially in Brighton, and he later settled in Maidenhead.

Dubourg came from a musical family: he was the grandson of the violinist Matthew Dubourg. He died on April 17, 1882, leaving behind a body of work that connected musical knowledge with an easy, readable style.