John Dunstaple
English composer
Years: 1390 - 1453
John Dunstaple (or Dunstable) (c. 1390 – 24 December 1453) was an English composer of polyphonic music of the late medieval era and early Renaissance.
He is one of the most famous composers active in the early 15th century, a near-contemporary of Leonel Power, and is widely influential, not only in England but on the continent, especially in the developing style of the Burgundian School.
The spelling "Dunstaple" is preferred by English musicologist Margaret Bent, since it occurs in more than twice as many musical attributions as that of "Dunstable".
The few English musical sources are equally divided between "b" and "p"; however, the contemporary non-musical sources, including those with a claim to a direct association with the composer, spell his name with a "p." Both spellings remain in common usage.
