Who Was Vaughan Williams?

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958) was an English composer.  His work is still regarded today as being of an exceptionally high standard and of a very English nature.
He studied in Cambridge, but also in Berlin and Paris.  He then travelled around the United Kingdom, recording tradional songs and even carols.  
Having served, during the First World War, as a soldier in the Field Ambulance Service, he became a Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music.
His works were eclectic and included symphonies, hymns and music which was composed for both the opera and ballet.  
It was somewhat unusual for a serious composer to include hymns in his repertoire, which is one of the reasons he is thought of as somehwat idiosyncratic.
His best known works include The Sea, London and Pastoral.
In 1938 his work was recognised, with him being awarded the Order of Merit for services to music.