Birdor Byrd William

Bird, or Byrd, William, was born about 1540. and became in 1563 organist of Lincoln cathedral, He studied under Tallis, with whom in 1575 he was appointed organist to Queen Elizabeth and gentleman of the Chapel Royal. He was the earliest English composer of madrigals, and he also wrote many sacred pieces, some of which appeared in Elizabeth's Virginal Book, others in independent collections. They are said to display remarkable freedom and elegance. To him is ascribed the well-known round or vocal canon Non Nobis Domine. He died in 1623.