The life and work of John Clinton
(1810-1864)

By Adrian C. Duncan and Terry McGee

Abstract

The eminent mid-Victorian era flautist John Clinton (1810-1864) remains one of the more enigmatic figures in the history of the transverse flute, and he has not fared well at the hands of previous writers. Our study will attempt to enhance our understanding of Clinton’s true place in the hierarchy of innovators of the flute.  We will begin by examining what is recorded about Clinton’s life and activities, including what is known about his musical sensibilities as well as his relationship with Boehm and other innovators of his time.  We will then present an objective assessment of a hitherto un-catalogued 1851 Clinton-designed flute made by Henry Potter, placing this instrument in its historical context as far as possible. Finally, based on this assessment as well as the historical record, we will offer our own evaluation of the path down which Clinton was heading with this flute, as well as some fresh speculation regarding Clinton’s character, motivations and abilities.

Contents

• Introduction and Our Approach to the Study

• Biographical Summary – The Early Years

• Clinton’s Appreciation of Boehm’s 1832 Flute

• Clinton’s Initial Efforts to Improve the 1832 Boehm Flute

• The Outcome of Clinton’s Visit to Munich

• The Implications of Clinton’s Rejection of the 1847 Boehm Flute

• Clinton’s Views on Further Development

• Clinton’s First Flute Design

• The 1848 Patent examined

• Clinton’s 1851 Instrument

• The  Later Years

• Clinton as a Musician

• Clinton’s Relationship with Boehm

• The 1851 Instrument considered

• Rockstro’s View of Clinton

• Some unanswered questions

• Conclusion, Acknowledgments, References

Clinton's Flutes

• Clinton's Extant Flutes

• Clinton's Serial Numbers

• Clinton's Flute Models - at a glance
   

• Clinton 1851 Model Flute Analysis

• Clinton #113 : Pre-Equisonant?   

• Clinton's Extended L1 model - #148

• An early Equisonant - No 262

• Clinton's Two Cups L1-L2 model

• Clinton's Side C-key model

• Clinton's Flute for India

• Clinton's 8-key model

• Clinton's Audience-side axles model

• Clinton's Plain L1 & L2 model

• Clinton's Piccolo

• Clinton's Wooden Cylindrical Flute

• Clinton's Cylindrical Equisonants

• Clinton's Boehm flute with Graduated Holes

• Chappell's Clinton Equisonant

• More to come ...

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