Algernon Ashton

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Algernon Bennet Langton Ashton (9 December 1859 – 10 April 1937) was a British composer and pianist. He was Professor of piano at the Royal College of Music from 1884 to 1910. Born in Durham, he studied in Germany: at the Leipzig Conservatory with Carl Reinecke and Theodor Coccius, and later at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt with Joachim Raff.

Ashton wrote many works for different instruments. He published more than 160 pieces, and many more were unpublished or lost. His known works include five symphonies, a piano concerto, a violin concerto, 24 piano sonatas (one in every key), and 24 string quartets in a similar pattern. The orchestral version of his Three English Dances was performed at the Proms in October 1912.

Today some of his music has been recorded, including four of his virtuosic piano sonatas, two cello sonatas, and the Tarantella for clarinet, Op. 107.

In later life he became known for writing letters to newspapers about maintaining the graves of distinguished people; these were collected in two books: Truth Wit and Wisdom and More Truth Wit and Wisdom (Chapman & Hall). He also kept a daily diary for most of his life, starting at age 15, reaching about 58 volumes.

Sadly, the diaries and many unpublished works are believed to have been destroyed in the Blitz when his family home was hit by bombs.