'He was the greatest composer that ever lived,' said Beethoven of Handel. 'He is the father of us all,' wrote Haydn. This short, vivid biography of Handel reminds us of the composer's greatness. Separate chapters are devoted to the Messiah, the Harmonious Blacksmith, Handel's organ at Cannons, and his will and codicils. A few notes and an index have been added to this revised and reset edition. William Hayman Cummings (1831-1915) was a singer and music historian. He taught singing at the Royal Normal School and the School for the Blind before being appointed a professor at the Royal Academy of Music in 1879. In 1896 he was appointed principal of the Guildhall School of Music. His historical studies of music and musicians led to him being made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1884.