Polish-Lithuanian composer and musician. Born in Vilnius, Yaniewicz (or Janiewicz) began as violinist at the Polish Royal Chapel, but c.1785 he travelled to Austria, Italy, France and eventually Britain. In Vienna he met Haydn and Mozart, in Italy he learned from the Italian masters and in Paris he found success in the employment of the Duc d'Orléans. He left Paris for London at the outset of the French Revolution and played in cities around Britain. He lived in London and became a founder of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1813. In 1815, he moved to Edinburgh where he was to remain for the rest of his life, living at 84 Great King Street in the New Town between 1823 and his death. He founded the first Edinburgh Festival. He lies buried with his wife, Eliza, in Warriston Cemetery. He is remembered by a plaque outside his former home on Great King Street.
