Charles Burney (1726-1814)

The most important English music historian of the 18th century.  "A General History of Music" (London, 1776, reprinted New York 1957) is the first important history of music in English.  It contains many interesting comments on the contemporary musical trend that reveal the general attitudes of creative musicians and the public during Burney's time.  Burney made extensive trips to the musical capitals of Europe and wrote two volumes concerning the musical scene on the continent.