b.Perthshire 1721, d.London 1807.
After reading law at Edinburgh University, he joined the army and saw active service in the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion, in Flanders and in America, eventually reaching the rank of General.
He combined his army career with an active musical life. He was an amateur flautist of some distinction, composing for that instrument, and it is thought that James Oswald helped with the harmonisation of his sonatas. Both men, like the Earl of Kelly, were members of the secret society of composers known as “The Temple of Apollo”.
Reid incorporated Scottish folktunes into his marches and his fond memories of Scotland and Edinburgh University resulted in his greatest contribution to music, the endowment in his will of a chair of music at Edinburgh.
Six Solos for a German Flute or Violin>
With a thorough bass for the harpsichord by J[ohn] R[eid], Esq., a member of the Temple of Apollo. Printed for J. Oswald. Solos iii, iv,v,vi.
A Second Sett of 6 Solos for a German Flute or Violin
With a thorough bass for the harpsichord by J[ohn] R[eid], Esq., a member of the Temple of Apollo. Printed for J. Oswald.