Thomas Kennedy

History

Thomas Kennedy (1784-1870) was born on January 21, 1784, in London, UK, and passed away in 1870. He was the son and pupil of John Kennedy and was also apprenticed to Thomas Powell on June 17, 1795. For a period, he worked for William Forster (III) but established his own independent workshop from 1804 at 16 Princes Street, Westminster. Around 1813, Kennedy's shop relocated to 16 Nassau Street, and from 1816 to 1848, it was situated at 364 Oxford Street. He retired from business in June 1849, but continued to work from various addresses, including 4 Cummings Place, 4 King's Road, and 164 Pentonville Road. Thomas Kennedy was a prolific maker, and sources contain conflicting information regarding the total number of instruments produced; William Meredith Morris states he 'turned out at least two thousand instruments', while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and Cecie Stainer indicate he 'had made 300 violoncelli und Geigen' or 'at least 300 violoncellos as well as other instruments' respectively. George Hart notes he 'probably made more instruments than any English maker, with the exception of Crask'. He continued to supply instruments to the firm of Goulding, D'Almaine & Co.

Craft

• Workmanship: Thomas Kennedy's work varied in grade, ranging from unpurfled instruments with thin, dark varnish to distinguished and well-finished examples featuring a fine, transparent spirit varnish. William Meredith Morris notes that while the workmanship was generally good, the tone was not always of equal merit, sometimes being harsh and metallic.
• Cello Model: His cellos are particularly well-known and are considered the most useful products of his workshop, typically made on a distinctive shortened Amati model with long middle bouts.
• Materials and Varnish: An example cited by William Meredith Morris describes a violin with a birch back and yellow varnish.
• Signing Practices: Most of his work is signed in pencil on the inner surface of the table, and occasionally in ink above the endpin on the lower ribs.
• Bows: Bows originally featured open ivory frogs and were branded 'KENNEDY', 'Thos Kennedy / Maker / Nassau Street / Middlesex Hospital', or 'Thos. Kennedy Londini. 1860 Thos. Kennedy Maker 364 Oxford Street, London'.

Influence

• Training: Thomas Kennedy was the son and pupil of John Kennedy and was also apprenticed to Thomas Powell. He worked for a period for William Forster (III).
• Collaborators and Employees: In his independent workshop, he employed skilled individuals such as James Brown and later some of the best English bow makers, including Thomas Tubbs, James Dodd, and Edward Dodd. William Forster (IV) also made instruments for him around 1810, as did John Crowther.

Legacy

• Family Significance: According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, Thomas Kennedy was the most significant maker from the Kennedy family.
• Prolific Output: George Hart suggests he made more instruments than any other English maker, with the exception of Crask, highlighting his substantial contribution to English instrument making.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Thomas Kennedy's workshops were located at 16 Princes Street, Westminster (from 1804), 16 Nassau Street (around 1813), and 364 Oxford Street (from 1816-1848). After his retirement in 1849, he continued to work from various addresses, including 4 Cummings Place, 4 King's Road, and 164 Pentonville Road.
• Branding: The brand of Goulding, D'Almaine & Co is sometimes found beneath the back button of instruments he supplied to them.
• Labels: An example of a label found in his instruments is 'THOS. KENNEDY, LONDINI, 1860'.

Summary

Thomas Kennedy (1784-1870) was a prominent English luthier, son and pupil of John Kennedy, and apprentice to Thomas Powell. He worked for William Forster (III) before establishing his own workshops in London, notably at 16 Princes Street, 16 Nassau Street, and 364 Oxford Street. Kennedy was a prolific maker, known particularly for his cellos, often crafted on a shortened Amati model. His work ranged in quality, from simpler pieces to well-finished examples with fine spirit varnish. He employed notable bow makers and supplied instruments to firms like Goulding, D'Almaine & Co, leaving a significant legacy in English instrument making.