Bruckner was born in Ansfelden to a peasant family.   His early musical education consisted of organ instruction from his father, music theory from his godfather, and general music lessons at the Saint Florian abbey near Linz. His first work, a requiem mass, was written in 1849. Deeply religious, he became the official organist at St. Florian in 1851, and from 1856 to 1868 he was organist at the Cathedral of Linz. During Bruckner's residence at Linz he studied briefly with a Viennese authority on counterpoint, Simon Sechter, and composed three of his principal choral works—the First Mass in D minor (1864), the Second Mass in E minor (1866), and the Third Mass in F minor (1867)—and his Symphony No. 1 in C minor (1866). From 1868 to 1892 Bruckner was court organist and professor at the Vienna Conservatory. He composed eight additional symphonies and many sacred, orchestral, choral, organ, and piano works. He was at work on his Symphony No. 9 in D minor (unfinished) when he died.

Because he was a self-proclaimed follower of German composer Richard Wagner, anti-Wagnerian musicians and critics in Vienna opposed his works. In his final years, however, Bruckner was greatly honored in Austria, receiving decorations and a salary and pension from the government.