Weelkes, Thomas

(baptized Oct. 25, 1576, Elsted, Sussex?, Eng.—died Nov. 30, 1623, London) British composer and organist. He published his first book of madrigals in 1597 and was appointed organist at Winchester College the following year. His next two books of madrigals, his greatest, were soon published (1598, 1600), and a final volume was published in 1608. Weelkes is noted for his word painting, lively rhythms, and highly developed sense of form and structure.