(b. Dublin, 1794 ; d. Prince's Place, Kennington, Dec. 28, 1846), a prominent figure in London musical life in the middle part of the 19th century. He came to London in 1817, where he played the violin at Covent Garden Theatre. He wrote an operetta in that year, called ' Bachelors' Wives, or the British at Brussels.' He soon, however, became the musical adviser to Arnold and Hawes, and ' Der Freischutz,' ' Azor and Zemira,' ' Robert the Devil,' and many other foreign operas were brought out under his direction at Covent Garden. Kearns wrote the additional wind accompaniments to the ' Messiah ' and ' Israel in Egypt ' for the Festival at Westminster Abbey in 1834, as well as for Handel's choruses at provincial festivals. In 1845 he assisted Gauntlett in editing the Comprehensive Tune-book. Henry Smart was among his pupils. G.