Wood, Haydn (1882-1959), was a British composer primarily known for his more than 200 songs. He composed many of his songs for his wife, Dorothy Court, who was a music-hall singer. Perhaps Wood’s most famous song was “Roses of Picardy” (1916), which became popular through its associations with English troops fighting in World War I (1914-1918). Wood also wrote orchestral compositions and works for the stage.
Wood was born on March 25, 1882, at Slaithwaite, in Yorkshire, England. He was raised on the Isle of Man, a setting that influenced many of his works. He studied composition and violin at the Royal College of Music. During his lifetime, Wood achieved popularity for his light orchestral pieces, such as Variations on a Once Popular Song (1927) and The Seafarer (1940). His musical play Tina (1915) also was popular. Wood died on March 11, 1959.
