Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a prominent British composer and conductor of mixed African and European ancestry, known for his compositions that incorporated elements of African-American music and traditional European classical music. He was born in London in 1875 to a Sierra Leonean father and an English mother.

Coleridge-Taylor gained international acclaim for his choral trilogy, "The Song of Hiawatha," based on the epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The piece premiered in 1898 and was widely performed throughout Europe and the United States, earning him significant recognition as a composer.

Despite facing discrimination and financial struggles throughout his career, Coleridge-Taylor continued to compose music that celebrated his African heritage and blended it with Western classical traditions. He was a pioneer in breaking down racial barriers in classical music and was a prominent figure in the resurgence of interest in African-American spirituals and folk music during the early 20th century.

Coleridge-Taylor's legacy continues to be recognized for his contributions to classical music and his role as a trailblazer for Black composers in a predominantly white industry. His work has inspired generations of musicians and continues to be performed and celebrated today.