Henry Playford

Who was Henry Playford?

Henry Playford was an English music publisher, the younger son and only known surviving child of John Playford, with whom he entered business. He lived in Arundel Street in London and had a shop near Temple Church 1685–1695 then in Temple Change 1695–1704 and finally in Middle Temple Gate in 1706. Many of his publications were of a transient nature and were aimed at favourite songs and instrumental pieces for public entertainments, such as the pleasure garden concerts much in vogue. He revised his father's The Dancing Master and published Thomas d'Urfey's Wit and Mirth and Henry Purcell's Orpheus Britannicus.