English composer and organist. Tomkins was born into a musical family and probably became a choirboy at St Davids in 1578; he later studied with William Byrd. He was appointed organist of Worcester Cathedral in 1597, succeeding Nathanial Patrick, a gifted composer, who was appointed Master of the Children in 1590 or 1591 and died, apparently young, in 1595. Tomkins graduated BMus at Oxford in 1607, and became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal between 1617 and 1620; he was its organist in 1621. He continued, however, to hold his Worcester post until 1646, when services were suspended because of the Civil War; Tomkins went to live on his son's estate and devoted himself to writing virginal music. He published a single volume of madrigals, his only secular publication, in 1622; it was actually, significantly enough, entitled Songs,not madrigals, and included some anthems. He was nevertheless quite madrigalian in his technique. Tomkins composed music for the Coronation of Charles I (1625). Organist of the King's Chappel 1625-1628.