Miller was the son of a pavior, but left home to study music, from
Charles Burney, who was then at
King's Lynn. For a time he was a flautist in
Handel's orchestra. In 1787, he published simultaneously in London and Dublin his 'Treatise of Thorough Bass and Composition.' In 1791, he published 'Thoughts on the present performance of Psalmody in the Established Church of England addressed to the Clergy' (London), and in 1792 'A Letter to the Country Spectator in reply to the author of his 9th Number ... by a Professor of Music' (London and Doncaster), which is a defence of 'Fiddlers.' In 1801 he published
The Psalms of Watts and Wesley for three Voices for the use of Methodists (London), and in 1804
The History and Antiquities of Doncaster and its vicinity with anecdotes of Eminent Men, with a map, &c. (Doncaster). He was also the author of
The Tears of Yorkshire on the death of the Most Noble the Marquis of Rockingham (London, 1782), and Fetis states that he began a translation of J. J. Rousseau's
Dictionnaire de la Musique, of which a few proofs of the first eighteen pages were printed, but no more. Miller arranged the tune
Rockingham as a hymn tune in 1790, to which
Isaac Watts' hymn
"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" is sung. Miller also wrote the tune
Galway, to which
Charles Wesley's hymn
"A charge to keep I have" is sung. He died at Doncaster on 12 September 1807. ==Works==