Thomas Augnstiue Arse, an English composer of music, born in London in 1710, died March 5, 1778. His father, an upholsterer, gave him a good education at Eton, and bound him apprentice to an attorney, but afterward consented to his following his inclination and devoting himself exclusively to musical composition. In 1733 he set to music Addison's " Rosamond" and Fielding's "Tom Thumb," under the name of the " Opera of Operas," both of which were received with much favor. The former was composed chiefly for his sister, afterward the celebrated Mrs. Cibber. In 1738 he wrote the music to Milton's " Comus," which firmly established his reputation as a composer. During the next 20 years he wrote operas for Drury Lane theatre, oratorios, and a vast number of songs. In 1762 his most famous work, "Artaxerxes," an opera after the Italian style, was produced, and for many years held a prominent place on the lyric stage. His other most successful works were the "Judgment of Paris," "Eliza," "Britannia," a musical farce entitled "Thomasand Sally," "The Fairies," and "The Stratford Jubilee." His oratorios, owing to the competition of Handel's works, were comparative failures.

As a composer of songs Dr. Arne was unsurpassed by any English writer since the time of Purcell; and many of them, such as "Rule Britannia," and "The Soldier Tired," are still popular. In 1769 he received from Oxford the degree of doctor in music.