Robert Jones (c. 1577 – 1617) was an Englishlutenist and composer, the most prolific of the Englishlute song composers (along withThomas Campion).
He received the degree of B.Mus. from Oxford in 1597 (St. Edmund Hall). He ran a school in London. Records show that he had a patent (monopoly) to train children for the Queen's Revels between 1610 and 1615. In 1610, he collaborated withPhilip Rosseter to present plays at the Whitefriars theatre. He was recorded as a Gentleman of theChapel Royal in 1612.
He published five volumes of simple and melodious lute songs, and one of madrigals; he also contributed toThe Triumphs of Oriana and Leighton'sTeares. His 27 madrigals are mostly to texts about birds – birds merry, sweet, shrill, crowing or melancholic.
William Shakespeare quoted his song, 'Farewell, dear love', inTwelfth Night.
The date and place of Jones's death are not known.
