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Franz Gruber
- Birth: November 25, 1787, Unterweizberg (near Hochburg), Austria
- Death: June 7, 1863, Hallein (near Salzburg), Austria
Franz Xaver Gruber was born in 1787 in Austria. He was the son of a linen weaver. He learned to play the violin against his father's wishes, then went on to study organ. He taught school in Arnsdorf, Austria, and in 1816 began to play the organ at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf. From 1828 to 1832, he served as headmaster in Berndorf, then played organ and directed the choir at Hallein from 1833 to 1863.
Gruber is said to have composed over 90 musical pieces, but the only one that we still know is "Silent Night, Holy Night".