Ward, John

English composer, John Ward (1571–1638) was a contemporary of John Dowland. Born in Canterbury, he was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral and went to London where he served Sir Henry Fanshawe both as an attorney in the Exchequer and as a musician. Ward married and had three children, moved to Essex by 1636, and died at Ilford Magna in 1638.

John Ward composed madrigals, works for viol consort, services, and anthems. His madrigals are remarkable for their fine texts, broad melodic lines and originality.