English composer, remembered chiefly for his many songs, which enjoyed considerable popularity in their day and were fluently and sensitively written, if not touching any very profound level of emotion.

He was born at his parents' home in Hove, Sussex, UK, on November 1st 1877; he was the third of five sons, in a large family; his mother encouraged Roger's artistic inclinations, and he was devoted to her.

He attended a preparatory school in Farnborough and in January 1892, he began at Eton College, where, though the emphasis was upon sporting achievement, he was allowed to pursue his musical studies.

He made many Shakespeare settings, among which the Three Shakespeare Songs of 1905 are outstanding, but took texts from most periods of English literature: songs like 'Love's Philosophy' (Shelley) and 'Now sleeps the crimson petal' (Tennyson) were staple recital diet during the first half of the 20th cent.