Leopold Mozart, the father of the great musician, was the son of a bookbinder at Augsburg. He was born December 14, 1719, and was in due time removed to the University of Salzburg, where he studied jurisprudence; whether with undecided views of a profession, is doubtful—for he had already made himself skilful in music, and was an admirable performer on the violin. On leaving the university he was received into the family of Count von Thurn, a canon of the cathedral, and by him afterwards recommended to the notice of the Archbishop of Salzburg, who entertained him in the capacity of valetmusican.

This appointment, however degrading it may appear to modern ideas of the dignity of art, offered at that time the best prospect of preferment in the establishments of the great; and Leopold Mozart found it so, for he was by degrees removed from the meaner servitude, made one of the court musicians, and subsequently vice kapellmeister. Among names distinguished in music and enrolled in the service of the court of Salzburg, are those of Eberlin, Michael Haydn, &c. The emoluments of a post in the orchestra of the archbishop, from the highest member of it to the lowest, were incredibly small; but the country was cheap, there was sufficient for a simple, contented life, and the musician's widow was provided for at his death.