(baptized Oct. 25, 1576, Elsted, Sussex?, Eng.
died Nov. 30, 1623, London) British composer and organist.
He published his first book of madrigal s 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.