John Clinton (c. 1809-1864) was a Irish native who moved to London, probably at an early age. He studied the flute, perhaps at the Royal Academy of Music, and is recorded (by Rockstro) as “occupying an obscure position, being a member of the orchestra of the little theatre in the Haymarket." In 1834 Clinton published his first known composition, the first of many for this prolific composer. Clinton succeeded Joseph Richardson as principal flute teacher at the Royal Academy in London in 1842 and held the postion for the next thirteen years, while continuing to compose and perform (a season as principal flute at Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1847 seems to have been a point of pride). Membership in the Philharmonic Society also was achieved sometime before 1846. Clinton was an early and enthusiastic supporter of the Boehm flute system, to which he advocated for and made improvements in an era of rapid development of the instrument with numerous competing mechanical and fingering arrangements. See Adrian C. Duncan and Terry McGee's investigation of Clinton for an excellent discussion of the man and his work.

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