William Cornysh (Cornish) (* around 1468 in East Greenwich; † October 1523 in Gut Hylden, Kent) was an English composer. As early as the reign of Henry VII as well during his successor Henry VIII the musical life at the English court experienced a remarkable development. Music acquired a sacred nd secular significance even becoming one of the pleasures of courtly society. Cornysh was held in particularly high esteem by Henry VIII. In 1509 he was appointed 'Master of the Children of the Chapel' and after his abdication was given the Hylden estate as his retirement residence.
In addition to sacred works, he also wrote a number of secular instrumental and vocal works, some of which were written by himself. Stylistically he is associated with the Franco-Flemish school.
