DAVIES, SIR HENRY WALFORD ), knighted 1922, English organist and composer, was born at Oswestry, Salop, on Sept. 6, 1869, and educated privately. In 1882 he became a chorister at St. George's chapel, Windsor, and in 1885 assistant organist to Sir Walter Parratt there. From 189°– 94 he was pupil and scholar at the Royal College of Music, where, in 1895, he became a teacher of counterpoint. In 1898 he was appointed organist to the Temple church, a post which he held until 1923. From 19o3–o7 he was conductor of the London Bach choir in succession to Stanford; and from 1919-26 professor of music in the University college of Wales, at Aberystwith. During the World War, with the rank of major, he worked for the organization of music among the troops, and in 1918 was made director of music to the R.A.F. In 1919 he was appointed director of music and chairman of the National Council of Music, University of Wales; in 1924, Gresham professor of music; and in 1927, organist of St. George's chapel, Windsor.
His compositions include two symphonies; and in the way of choral works, Everyman, a felicitous setting for chorus and orchestra of the old morality play, which has enjoyed wide favour; Ode on Time 09°8) ; The Sayings of Jesus (1910; Dante Fantasy (1914) ; and Heaven's Gate; in addition to a quantity of church music, chamber music, part songs, etc. Over and above his creative work, Walford Davies has been for many years one of the most potent and stimulating forces (not least by means of his immensely popular wireless talks) in musical education in England; to which it may be added that he has con tributed the article on Music TEACHING to the present edition of this Encyclopedia. In ig37 he was created K.C.V.O.