At first, Pepusch earned a living playing the viola, then as a theatre director, music theoretician, teacher and organist. In 1726, Pepusch founded The Academy of Vocal Music with others; in around 1730–1, it was renamed The
Academy of Ancient Music. In Joseph Doane's
Musical directory for the year 1794, the founding of the academy is discussed. On page 76, Doane states: He also founded the Madrigal Society. Both were devoted to researching the history of music but specifically music of the Elizabethan period. In 1713 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music by the
University of Oxford. Pepusch remained Director of the academy until his death in 1752, and had established England as an important location for the study of music history. He was succeeded at the academy by
Benjamin Cooke, one of his pupils. His many pupils also included
William Boyce and
John Bennett. For a period of twenty years, Pepusch also directed the musical establishment at
Cannons, a large stately home at Edgware, Middlesex, northwest of
London. He was employed there by
James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos. For a few years, he worked alongside
George Frideric Handel, who had a role described as
composer in residence. Both men were at Cannons in 1717/18. Amongst English musicologists, Pepusch is considered significant foremost for his teaching role, but is best known for his arrangement of the music for ''
The Beggar's Opera'' (1728) — to the
libretto of
John Gay. He composed works of all forms, including stage and church music as well as
concertos and continuo
sonatas. He often made use of popular dance forms, such as the
gigue and
sarabande. ==Personal life==