Charles Villiers Stanford was an Irish composer, conductor, and music teacher born in 1852. He is best known for his contributions to choral and orchestral music, as well as his role in the development of music education in Ireland. Stanford studied at Cambridge University and later became a professor at the Royal College of Music in London. Throughout his career, Stanford composed numerous works, including symphonies, operas, and chamber music. He was a key figure in the Celtic Revival and influenced many younger composers, including Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst. Stanford passed away in 1924, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of classical music.