ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a biography of mid- to late-19th-century singer Mary Ann Paton. She was born in Scotland in 1802, one of the several daughters of a Mr George Paton and his wife Mary. The very earliest part of Mary Ann Paton's musical life is, of course, difficult to uncover, varying claims being made as to the extent of her prodigal status. Miss Paton appeared as a public performer, at two concerts at Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms and as a guest artist at the concert given by a local professor of music, Felix Yaniewicz. The first of these was announced as a 'debut', which was one way of putting it, for it was indeed Miss Paton's debut as an adult artist. On 21 June 1820, Miss Paton turned up once more in London, presented in concert at the New Argyll Rooms. In 1822, Miss Paton began to take a fuller part in the London season.
