William Henry Fry, an American composer and journalist, born in Philadelphia in August, 1815, died in the island of Santa Cruz, Dec. 21, 1864. His father, William Fry, was proprietor of the "National Gazette" of Philadelphia. His aptitude for music was very early manifested. His first orchestral productions were four overtures performed by the philharmonic society of Philadelphia in 1835, for which he received an honorary medal from the society. In 1839 he became regularly connected with the National Gazette," and in 1844 he was engaged as editor of the Philadelphia Ledger." In 1845 his opera of "Leonora" was performed in Philadelphia, and in 1858 an Italian version of it was produced. In 1846 he visited Europe, and remained there six years, residing chiefly in Paris, and corresponding with various newspapers. In 1852 he delivered in New York a series of ten lectures on the history of music, as illustrations to which he composed two symphonies, The Breaking Heart" and "A Day in the Country;" these, with the symphonies "Santa Clans" and "Childe Harold," were performed by Jul-lien's band. He published a Stabat Mater, with full orchestral and vocal score.

After his return from Europe he was attached for the rest of his life to the staff of the "New York-Tribune." He was also a political orator, and a popular lecturer on miscellaneous subjects.