Born: 1539 (Lincoln, United Kingdom) Born c.1539/40 or 1543.
Died: 1623-07-04 (Stondon Massey, United Kingdom)
William Byrd, English madrigalist and composer.
This 'Father of Musicke' is considered the greatest of the Virginal composers, and has arguably had more influence on the development of English music than any other composer.