Francis Jackson (composer)

Francis Alan Jackson CBE FRCO (2 October 1917 – 10 January 2022) was a British organist and composer who served as Director of Music at York Minster for 36 years, from 1946 to 1982.

He studied at Durham University and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO) in 1937, winning the Limpus Prize.

After active service during the Second World War he returned to York Minster in 1946 to become Organist and Director of Music, succeeding Bairstow.

[1][2] In 1961 Jackson played for the wedding of Elizabeth II's cousin, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, to Katherine Worsley.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music in 1978 and a Commander (CBE) in 2007.

There are two acclaimed monodramas – Daniel in Babylon and A Time of Fire – as well as the overture Brigantia, an organ concerto (1985), a symphony (1957), chamber music and solo songs.