William Flackton

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William Flackton (baptized 27 March 1709 – 5 January 1798) was an 18th‑century bookseller, publisher, amateur organist, viola player and composer. He is best known for his music for the viola.

He was born in Canterbury, the eldest surviving son of John Flackton and Catharine Sharp. He showed musical talent early and, at the age of nine, became a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral.

Flackton trained as a bookseller, working as an apprentice to Edward Burges in Canterbury until 1730, when he started his own business as a stationer and bookseller, specializing in second‑hand and antiquarian books. He partnered with his brother John from 1738 and later with former apprentices, first as Flackton and Marrable from 1774 and then as Flackton, Marrable and Claris from 1784. His firm published more than 60 books.

In 1770 he published Six Solos, Three for a Violoncello and Three for a Tenor, Accompanied Either with a Violoncello or Harpsichord, dedicated to Sir William Young, the Lieutenant‑Governor of Dominica. The preface shows his aim to promote viola music and to present the Tenor Violin as a real solo instrument, not just an accompaniment. He thanks Abel for helping with the manuscript and hopes more works for viola will follow.

Flackton was the organist at St Mary of Charity in Faversham from 1735 to 1752. He had a strong interest in church music, and his collection of music manuscripts is now in the British Library. One notable church piece is Hymns for Three Voices, written to support Sunday schools. He also wrote non‑church music, including A Glorious Chase in F major for three voices and horn, written for the Canterbury Catch Club. Some of his works are still used as exam pieces by music schools.