The Reverend Ozias Thurston Linley

Ozias Linley (1761-1831) was the third son and least musical of Thomas Linley's eight surviving children. Known as ?The Philosopher? by his family, Ozias graduated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 1789 and entered the Church. This portrait can probably be dated to c.1805-10 when Ozias was a minor canon of Norwich Cathedral and vicar of Stoke Holy Cross. In 1816 he became Junior Fellow and Organist of Dulwich College, where he spent the rest of his life. The Linley Bequest is a result of this link. Eccentric and absent-minded, he enjoyed quarrelling with other College members: although calm and composed here, there is a report that in the heat of intellectual debate, he ?pulled his wig awry, till the back was foremost and a large portion of his fine head became visible. He spoke so loud as to make the dining hall resound, and struck the table so violently with his clenched fist as to put the glasses and decanters in serious jeopardy.'

Credit: William Linley Bequest, 1835