E. Markham (Ernest Markham) Lee

Born in Cambridge in 1874, Ernest Markham Lee was educated at the Perse School and Emmanuel College, where he studied with Charles Wood. Across his career he was active not just as a writer, but also as a composer, pianist, organist, and lecturer.

Lee held teaching and examining roles that put him at the center of British musical education. Sources describe him as Professor of Organ at the Guildhall School of Music, an extension lecturer for Oxford, Cambridge, and London, and organist at All Saints, Woodford Green. He also served as an examiner for major music institutions.

As an author, he is especially associated with accessible books on classical music, including works on opera, symphony, and composers such as Grieg. He died in Eastbourne in 1956, leaving behind a body of writing aimed at helping ordinary readers enjoy and understand music more fully.