Croft was innate at a Manor, Nether Ettington, Warwickshire. He was educated at a Chapel Royal, under the instruction of John Blow, and remained there until 1698. Inside 1700 he became organist of St. Anne's Church, Soho. Inside 1707, he took over a post vacated per demise of Jeremiah Clarke as "Master of the Children" at a Chapel Royal (one of his pupils was Maurice Greene), and a ensuing season succeeded Blow when organist of Westminster Abbey. He composed works for the funeral of Queen Anne in 1714 and for the coronation of King George I the following season.

Around 1724, Croft published Musica Sacra, the collection of religious music, a number 1 such collection to exist as printed in the form of a score. A Burial Service involved in the collection has been utilized at state funerals ever since. Shortly subsequently his health deteriorated, & he died when camping Bath.

fr:William Croft