Thomas Carter (composer)

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Thomas Carter (May 1769 – 8 November 1800) was an Irish composer who lived most of his life in London during his short, productive years. He likely came from a Dublin family of musicians, and his music was often confused with that of a near-namesake, Charles Thomas Carter. Some sources even suggest he was the illegitimate son of the Earl of Inchiquin.

Born in Dublin, he showed talent early and, with the Earl's support, studied music in Naples around 1788 under Sir William Hamilton. He later became the theatre's music director in Calcutta, but health problems forced him to return to England in July 1789. He married Mary Wells of Cookham, Berkshire, in 1793. He died in London at 31, described in the Gentleman's Magazine as a victim of liver disease.

Scholars later tried to separate his works from those of Charles Carter. Roger Fiske, in the 1980 edition of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, attributed many pieces published after 1793 to Thomas Carter, including the duet Goodman White and Gaffer Grey op. 24 (c. 1796), the canzonet op. 25 (c. 1796) for one or two voices, and the collection Songs, Duos, Trios, Catches, Glees and Canons op. 27. These pieces were published "for the composer" at his own expense, and his marriage is thought to have helped fund them. The Six Easy Lessons for Harpsichord or Pianoforte op. 3 are also credited to him, and the Berkshire Militia March (c. 1795) may be his as well.