Preyer was born in
Hausbrunn and studied with
Simon Sechter from 1828 to 1834. He became professor of
harmony and composition at the
Vienna Conservatory in 1839, and from 1844 to 1849 he was director of the conservatory. He was organist of
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna for 57 years. He founded children's hospital Gottfried von Preyer'sches Kinderspital bearing his name. He died in
Vienna, aged 94. Preyer attributed his long career to his teetotalism and
vegetarian diet. == Works ==