John bull. born 1562/63, Radnorshire, Wales? died March 12/13, 1628, Antwerp, Spanish Netherlands British composer. He became organist of Hereford Cathedral in 1582, then organist at the Chapel Royal in 1591. In 1613 he departed for the continent to escape punishment for adultery; he held important organist positions in Brussels and Antwerp until his death. He wrote many verse anthems but is remembered for his keyboard works. In an era of remarkable English music for the virginal (a small harpsichord), he produced works that, with their resourceful keyboard figurations, reflect his own brilliant technique
{i} typical Englishman; the English people; cartoon character made to typify Britain which was popularized by Thomas Nast (American cartoonist)