John Eccles was the only son of Henry Eccles the Elder (born between 1640 and 1650—died 1711). In 1695, he became a musician at the English king’s court. In 1700, the king appointed him Master of the King’s Musick, the highest position available to a musician at the English royal court. Eccles composed numerous works for the theater, including incidental music and “masques” (an English form of opera).