John Ravenscroft (composer)

John Ravenscroft (c. 1665 – 1697) was an English composer, particularly known for his music used in plays during the Restoration period.

Ravenscroft's relatively short life yielded a body of work primarily focused on incidental music for the theatre. He composed numerous tunes, songs, and instrumental pieces intended to accompany or enhance dramatic performances. His music was often published in collections such as The Theater of Music and The Delightful Companion, popular compendiums of songs and instrumental pieces of the day.

Little is known about Ravenscroft's personal life. His birth and death dates are approximations based on available records of his musical activities. Despite the scarcity of biographical details, his compositions provide insight into the musical tastes and theatrical practices of late 17th-century England. Ravenscroft's works, though not always attributed with certainty, are considered significant contributions to the musical landscape of the Restoration theatre. His music displays a fluency in the popular styles of the time, often incorporating elements of dance rhythms and melodic simplicity. He is remembered as a skilled, if somewhat obscure, figure in English musical history.