Joseph Kirkman

Joseph Kirkman (17 August 1763, London — 29 April 1830, London), also "Josephus Kirckman," was a British harpsichord and piano maker from a prominent German dynasty of instrument-builders, Kirchmanns, who proliferated in London in the XVIII century. His harpsichord inscriptions read: "Josephus Kirckman Londini fecit 17xx. No 19, Broad Street, Soho" Joseph actively collaborated with his father, Abraham Kirkman (1737—1794), with eight surviving harpsichords between 1773 and 1791 co-signed by two builders. He took over the family's firm around 1792. Joseph Kirkman was married twice and got estranged from children with his first wife, not including them in his will. Kirkman was a Freemason, initiated into the Society in early 1797, and a Corner Stone Lodge member. According to city archives, Joseph Kirkman had a private residence separate from his workshop and curiously owned multiple other properties across London. [u]Joseph Kirkman instruments[/u] 1798 Harpsichord at National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota. Compass: FF–f3 1798 Harpsichord at Museum Of Fine Arts Boston in Massachussets, USA. Compass: FF–f3 1800 Harpsichord at Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg, Germany. Compass: FF–f3 c.1815/18 Grand piano at Powerhouse Collection in Sydney, Australia