Johann Christoph Pepusch, German composer and musical theorist, c 1725.

Line engraving by J Hinton for the 'Universal Magazine'. John or Christopher (or Johann Christoph) Pepusch (1667-1752) was born in Berlin, Germany, and was appointed to the Prusian Court at the age of 14. He was a prolific composer of theatrical music, church music and instrumental works and was the predecesor of, but was also overshadowed by, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). In 1700, he moved to London where, in 1710, he helped to found the Academy of Ancient Music. He is best known as the arranger of the music for John Gay's 'The Beggar's Opera' (1728).