Benjamin Britten.

Benjamin Britten was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on 22 November 1913, to Edith Rhoda Hockey and Robert Victor Britten. He attended Old Buckenham Hall School and Gresham’s School before studying at the Royal College of Music. By age fourteen, he had composed string quartets, piano sonatas, songs, a symphony and an oratorio, signaling his early talent.

Studying composition under Frank Bridge, Britten became an established composer and writer. He co-founded the Aldeburgh Festival. In 1953 he received the Companion of Honour, in 1965 the Order of Merit, and in 1976 a Life Peerage. His music appears in films such as Moonrise Kingdom 2012 and The Lobster 2015. A pacifist, he supported the war effort during WWII by presenting concerts.

Britten’s parents were Edith Rhoda Hockey and Robert Victor Britten. He was godfather to composer Martin Phipps and allegedly declined a knighthood. As a pacifist, he avoided military service in WWII. He was born at 7:00 pm UT. David Hemmings, who performed as a child soprano in Britten’s works, considered Britten a father figure.

Britten received awards including the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal, and the Wihuri Sibelius Prize. He was made a Companion of Honour, Order of Merit, and Life Peer. A school in his birth town of Lowestoft bears his name. His godson Martin Phipps has been influenced by his work, as have many others. He is remembered especially for his operas and co-founding the Aldeburgh Festival.