Benjamin Britten

Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh, OM (22 November 1913–4 December 1976) was a British composer, conductor, and pianist. Life: Britten was born in Lowestoft in Suffolk, the son of a dentist and a talented amateur musician. He began composing prolifically as a child, and in 1927 began private lessons with Frank Bridge. He also studied, less happily, at the Royal College of Music under John Ireland and with some input from Ralph Vaughan Williams.