Joseph Meissonnier (born in 1790 in Marseille and died on August 19, 1856) in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, also known as Meissonnier Jeune, was a classical guitarist, arranger, composer, and important music publisher.
Joseph Meissonnier learned to play the guitar thanks to his older brother, Antoine Meissonnier (1783-1857), himself a guitarist and publisher. After moving to the capital, he taught the instrument for many years before taking over the business of a music dealer, Corbaux, at 28 Rue Dauphine in Paris.
He arranged numerous pieces, particularly operas, for the guitar. He also composed tunes that have become classics, some of which have been published: Three Duets for Guitar and Violin; Three Rondeaux; Well-Known Tunes for Solo Guitar, Op. 2 and 4; Various Opera Tunes; Contredanses. He wrote two guitar methods.
Joseph Meissonnier was heavily involved in publishing, like his brother, with whom he is sometimes confused. From 1821 onwards, he was based in Paris (rue Dauphine) under the name “J. Meissonnier” until 1840, then “Meissonnier Jeune” from 1841 to 1845, then “J. Meissonnier et Fils” or “J. Meissonnier Fils” from 1845 to 1860 (his son Édouard having joined the business and “made a considerable fortune” there, according to Fétis). In 1860, the Meissonnier collection was sold to the publisher E. Gérard et Cie.