Adolph Henselt, a German pianist, born at Schwabach, Bavaria, May 12, 1814. He first studied the violin, but abandoned it for the piano. At the age of 17 he attracted the attention of the king of Bavaria, through whose aid he was enabled to go to Weimar and place himself under the instruction of Hummel. From Weimar he went to Vienna in 1832, to study counterpoint under Sechter. He practised at the piano 10 hours a day, and soon injured his health by excess of work. For change of air he went to Berlin in 1836, and from thence to Dresden and St. Petersburg, where he was made pianist to the empress. Here he continued to reside, making in 20 years only one journey, which extended to London and the principal capitals of Europe. He holds the first rank among pianists, though his timidity has hindered him from playing much in public. He has not composed much, nor are his works of a high merit. The most important is a concerto in F minor for piano and orchestra, a composition of much technical difficulty.