prominent American composer and teacher; b. Portland, Maine, Jan. 9, 1839; d. Cambridge, Mass., April 25, 1906. Paine's father ran a music store and conducted the band in Portland. John Knowles studied organ, piano, harmony, and counterpoint in his hometown. From 1858 to 1961, he went to Berlin to further his music education, while also appearing as an organist and pianist in Germany and England.

In 1861 Paine settled in Boston, becoming organist of the West Church. He joined the faculty of Harvard University in 1862, where he also was organist at its Appleton Chapel. He was professor of music at Harvard University from 1875 to 1906, the first to hold such a position at a U.S. university. He was made a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters in 1898.

Paine greatly distinguished himself as an educator, serving as mentor to many American composers and music teachers. He published The History of Music to the Death of Schubert in 1907. His compositions include two symphonies (1876, 1880), As You Like It, overture (c.1876), two symphonic poems: The Tempest (c. 1876) and An Island Fantasy(c.1888), Duo Concertante for violin, cello, and orchestra(c.1877), chamber and choral works, songs, and keyboard works.