Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a British composer and conductor, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1875 to a British mother and a Sierra Leonean father, he gained prominence for his orchestral music, particularly the "Hiawatha" trilogy, inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem. Coleridge-Taylor was notable for integrating African musical elements into Western classical music, promoting racial equality through his work. He was also a prominent figure in the revival of interest in African heritage and culture in the arts. Coleridge-Taylor's legacy continues to influence musicians and composers today.