Vaughan Williams was born in 1872 in Cotswold Village in Down Amphney.

His education began at the Charterhouse School and later he would receive education from the Trinity College at Cambridge. He also studied at the Royal College of Music. Vaughan Williams was also able to study with Maurice Ravel in Paris. During the war (1914-1918), Vaughan Williams was a volunteer in the Field Ambulance Service. His experiences serving in the war affected him very deeply. His exposure to loud gunfire bagn the process of hearing loss that would eventually cause complete deafness in his old age. Vaughan Williams was a very influential musical figure, not just because of his written works either. He was also a friend to many young composers and he taught and lectured not only in Britain but also in the United States. Healways encouraged people to make their own music despite how simple it may be. Vaughan Williams wrote in almost every genre of music. His works include 9 symphonies, five operas, film music, ballet and stage music, song cycles, church music, and works for orchestra. The Order of Merit was given to Vaughan Williams in 1938 and is the only award he accepted. He even denied knighthood! Vaughan Williams ashes are in Westminster abbey near Henry Purcell.